I would like to thank the inspiring folks at Bush Radio, keep up that spark and keep on with the work, and last but by no way in hell means least I would like to thank my one in a million family for helping me get here and make shore, so when I got here that I didn’t fall apart. I’m sorry that I haven’t been keeping as good contact with you as I wanted to. But to quote black Sabbath ‘Mum I’m coming home!’
Tonight we played twister, what a mad game, it really is and I’m pretty good at it.
Also cant wait to get home to see my mum and pops and my little annoying but mad little sister and my not so big sister, I didn’t realise that I missed them as much as I do. Also to see my friends and to talk to Brittany again, I’ve really missed talking to her.
Well I’ve been me and you are you’s and that’s all folks.
Nathan AKA shiv
OK! So this is it, heading back to the cold tomorrow…well hopefully…weather permitting :S Cant wait to make my snowman :D So today was our last full day here in Cape Town and it really went in fast (maybe it was the extra long lie in). Twister was fun…despite Caoimhe and Shiv’s cheating :P
I think this trip has made me realise just how lucky I am to have even just the simple things in life – not everyone is that fortunate! I have really enjoyed these two weeks – even the ‘discussions’. However I do feel sorry for Caoimhe who for some reason always ended in the middle of mine and Shiv’s ‘discussions’ – lets just say we have different views :P but I suppose that was part of the enjoyment! (well maybe not for Caoimhe).
Meeting the guys at Bush Radio was also really good and it kind of put WIMPS to shame (well the young people in it anyway) because even the youngest ones who are like 12 pre-prepare and present their own radio show every week on their own. But I suppose that’s what works for them and what we do works for us. I just wish that all young people back home were as passionate and as motivated about the issues that matter to them!
I would like to thank PA for giving me this opportunity, which was amazing :D and to Shiv, Caoimhe and Debs for putting up with me for a whole 2 weeks – I know how hard and annoying that can be :P (especially when I’m losing the plot more and more each day).
So I’ve annoyed and bored you guys and well as Caoimhe, Debs and Shiv for 2 weeks now its back to annoying the family :D
Byeee!!
Una x
Awww… bless wee Shiv and Una eh, with all their cheese! We love the WIMPS lovin’ guys! ! ! ☺ I think they are way, way, way too hard on their wee selves. As I have written in past blogs, it amazes me how much knowledge and confidence they have. They are both so young know so much more than me – being caught in their DEEEEEP discussions was not always so bad, it amazed me how much they can discuss without getting annoyed or taking things personal. I’ve learnt so much from these 2, that I think I’ll have to continue to mediate their conversations at WIMPS. Thankfully it won’t be as early hehe! ☺ I really believe they are going to use this trip to inspire and motivate other young people, as the young people at Bush have inspired them.
And as for Debs… what an amazing job she has done! She has been the mothership, the accountant, the motivator and the calming influence. I don’t know how she coped, she has done so much for us the past 2 weeks, I can only hope someday I can organise myself and a trip so well. Well done Debs… its been a pleasure working with you and also getting to know the ‘manager’ a bit better eh! Hehe!
Why does it have to be the last night? I really don’t wanna go home ☹ I like snow and all… but its sunny here and people are so friendly! What an experience we have had! I really hope we can get some connections going between the young people in Cape Town and Belfast. Oh and also get this MKK thing running in Ireland YAY!
It’s been so much fun with these guys that I know I’m gonna miss going back to the office! Between Twister, swimming (Una jumping in fully clothed), our Monkey friends, penguins (evil penguins according to Shiv), our adventures in the car (with our great driver Debs), up to Table Mountain (where little tiny insects bit my back ☹), bargaining in the market and the peeps helping me with my indecisive mind haha (Thank you)! Oh, we also had our last adventure today in a Taxi bus… oh my how much fun! 4 of us stuck in the back of a little van taxi (a Toyota, Hi Ace). As Una said, it makes you appreciate black taxi’s! These wee vans drive like looney tunes… it’s also amazing how many people they can fit into one single taxi van (14 peeps, plus the driver) ;) Good times!
Well, sadly tomorrow it’s off to another extremely long journey back to Belfast on a plane :| Lets hope that there are no crazy women who steal my lovely pillow hehe! And I sleep comfortably allllllll night!
You know what? I’m gonna miss writing a wee blog each day… ah well, maybe the next trip to South Africa? (Paul Symth? ☺)
PEACE, LOVE and HARMONY
Caoimhe x
Man, I can’t believe we’re heading home tomorrow. I’m dreading going back to the freezing cold and having to wear millions of layers but heigh ho, it’s been a real privilege to do this trip, we’ve some great stories to tell and I think it’s been a profound experience for us all. If I’m honest I think I need some time to process things, maybe I’ll write some more reflections in the next few weeks, but overall I really loved meeting the young people at Bush Radio. They’re all stars and it just warmed the cockles of my heart seeing their passion for life and for getting out there to make things happen in their communities and amongst their friends.
Today we met up for lunch with Christine, Dani, Nobukhosi & her boyfriend from Bush Radio. It was really nice to have a leisurely lunch and just chill out together (and like the others I loved getting the taxi-van today - class craic!) Christine and Nobukhosi did a great job of organising MKK and demonstrated such commitment to the young people. I really enjoyed getting to know them and definitely hope to be able to keep in touch. Somehow I think we’ve put them off coming to Ireland because they don’t think they’d survive our cold weather, but maybe a bit more persuasion will do the trick!
It's hard to believe that MKK has struggled to get financial support this year because it's such a valuable and significant exercise for the young people who get involved. But all credit to Bush Radio for persevering and refusing to give up. It's been great to see how all the staff pulled together to make the event happen
It’s been great to see how much Una & Shiv have got out of this trip, they’ve been a pleasure to be around and have soaked up the whole experience. I’m looking forward to seeing how they take back the lessons learned and inspiration gained to WIMPS and the Away from Violence project at home. They’re extremely capable people with a heck of a lot to offer. Caoimhe has been my right-hand woman the whole way through and the Motivator of the team – she’s always been able to get us bouncing along despite tiredness. And she might not believe it herself but she’s can do a darned good job at the whole speaking in public thing and should do more of it! Thanks guys for putting up with my moody cow moments, I think we got along really well and we’ve now got some great memories.
It’s goodnight from me, him, her and her.
Debs
1 comment:
Well done guys - can't wait to see you all and hear more of your stories and impressions. My visit to Bush Radio was in 2000, and it changed my view of youth work completely. I felt if something this good could exist in South Africa on a shoestring budget, why do so many of the programmes at home seem more like playing at real life, than doing real life. They have been a constant inspiration to me over the years, as I know they will be for each of you moving forward. So let's get together and plan the next phase of this collaboration. Well done, and safe travels.
Paul
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