Monday 13 August 2012

Volume III Amy & David

Volume Trois!

During our spare time on the weekend we took a bus up a moutain to the breathtaking town, Cilaos, home to the islands premier source of mineral water, and what we decided must be the highest basketball court on the island! 

The journey itself was immense. As we ascended towards the clouds the views became more and more like a Jurassic Park film aspect. To look at the roads you wouldnt have thought them passable on anything other than a yak, how the driver was able to coax a forty foot bus through the volcanic terrain is a mystery. He used magic powers and also lots of horn honking and light flashing.


 

Us at the entrance to the National Park just outside Cilaos. Obviously!


 
Dave bravely giving a presentation in French about the Leonardo Project to members of the commitee jeune in Saint Pierre.



We attended a discussion on Prostitution in Reunion Island at Mission Locale Ravine de Cabris. This was a particularly challenging four hours for us, as discussion was heated, rapid, and therefore difficult to follow. Part way through the discussion, we also realised that we had encountered our first locals who converse exclusively in Creole, making it very difficult for us to offer opinions into the forum. Here the youths are presenting a sketch devised by themselves to exhibit their current knowledge of and views on the sex trade on the island prior to the debate.

 We have be stationed this week in the Mission Locale Sud headquaters in Saint Pierre. It is a very busy office and with no specific project here it was not always practical to be in the office. Consequently, we suggested they could set us a challenge around the town. This worked well as we were forced to speak with strangers in French to obtain information and directions and complete challenges like learn how to fish.

"Fishing for trout, (with accidental bum out.. thank you gust of wind) in a perculiar river"












Amy and David, short term Leonardo Trainees.
Project part of Gaining Through Training
and supported by ECORYS UK
and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.

Friday 10 August 2012

''Adventures beyond the Isle'' by Liam, EVS volunteer in Poland

Adventures beyond the Isle.

This is the story of the life of eight volunteers that, more or less, have never experienced life outside of the British isles. We have been sent out from our home country to experience the culture and  become enriched by it as well at the same time helping out a local scout headquarters with their project.


We departed from England on a cool Monday afternoon For some it was our first trip on an actual plane, our expectations matching our imagination and nerves. We explored the airport and after our first interaction with airport security we were soon on our flight and off to Poland. I, Liam, had the glorious pleasure of sitting right on the wing, able to see and feel every movement from the plane's flight trajectory. It was disconcerting at first but it became comfortable soon after take off and I was able to enjoy my first flight, even if it was only for two hours!


When we arrived in Wrocław, the temperature really hit us, a forbearance of what we would expect    while we where here. The excitement kicked in and we were all bouncing around, a flurry of young British stamina, nervously anticipating what we had ahead. We met our mentor Michal at the airport and set off for our humble abode. It wasn't quite what we were expecting but over time we made it our own. Here are some of the pictures from our home away from home.




    

So here we are, our first day in our new home for the next month, we're all pretty excited and things can only get better.

Liam Rooke
EVS Volunteer.


Project part of YOUth In Europe,
supported by the British Council
and the Youth in Action programme
of the European Commission



Thursday 9 August 2012

Youth Exchange : Video-report from Do It / Youth Net

A journalist from Do It / YouthNet was following us three days during our Youth exchange. This is the first video produced about the project with interview of two UK participants: Arthikan and Luke.





For more info visit : http://www.do-it.org.uk/doitblog/sport/entry/jump_through_the_rings_video


Project supported by the British Council and the Youth in Action programme of the European Union.

Monday 6 August 2012

Pictures from our volunteers in Poland

Our colleague, Sabina went some weeks ago to Poland to support our group of 8 EVS young volunteers. She brought back with her some very nice pictures of their first days of volunteering.


Alistair


Scott and Sam



Joshua



Sarah and Scott



Project part of YOUth In Europe,
supported by the British Council
and the Youth in Action programme
of the European Commission