Africa 2 Belfast

Thursday, 31 May 2012 13:26

In April a group of 12 young people from North Belfast and Shankill went out to work in South Africa. These young people have been working with Shankill/North Belfast Area Project and Integrated Services for Children and Young people over the past year to develop their leadership skills through the YWIC (Youth Working in Communities) Programme.

The group spent two weeks in the townships in Blanco building homes, feeding members of the community and getting to know the children and young people in the area.  They had a life changing experience and have come home with a plan for how they want to make a difference to the lives of others.  During their time our young people also linked up with a group of 16-18 year olds who are involved in a leadership programme with a South African Project called Real Start.

The next step in the programme will be to bring 5 of the young people from South Africa to Belfast for 3 weeks in the Summer.  Whilst here, the South African young people will be involved in a range of training opportunities, activities, will spend time sharing their stories and experiences with others and contribute to community life.

North Belfast & Shankill Area Project and ISCYP are currently fundraising to cover the costs of flights for each of the young people and living costs for their time here.  Our young people have a range of events planned for the next few weeks and a number of private donations have already been secured.  The group would welcome any donations towards this project, these can be given by contacting Alan Waite, Shankill Area Project on 90718506.

Also feel free to check out the links below to the Shankill Area Project blogspot were you can read the daily diary from the young people who went out to South Africa.  There is also a video that has been uploaded by Out of Africa Missions, another partner organisation.  This will give you a flavour of the experience the young people have had.

http://shankillareaproject.blogspot.co.uk/

http://outofafricamissions.org/2012/04/17/shankill-team/