The last two weeks, we had the great pleasure to welcome 6 amazing young people with fewer opportunities joined by 2 brilliant youth-workers and translator for our deaf participant Jean Juno. They joined us on Aruba for a Caribbean Immersion project. The experience set out to be an immersion into English language but has materialised into something much more. Friendships have been made, partnerships forged between organisations and we believe for some of these young people their life trajectory will change – this two weeks being a significant point in this transformation.
All these young people are on a French Civic Service scheme, with various degrees of social exclusion, unable to gain employment, illiterate, deaf & mute, dropped out of education due to COVID… to name a few. We have seen huge progressions in all the young people:
- Our amazing mentor Gerro took our deaf participant Jean Juno on a 5am fishing trip – they caught our dinner, and showed how communication does not need to be verbal.
- Samuel with very limited English has thrown himself into volunteering 2 days at the Donkey Sanctuary (on his free days this weekend) is spending tomorrow on Atlantis submarine in the hope of gaining an internship there next year. Thanks to our partners, Desiree and Gio for these opportunities and Errol for welcoming Samuel onto Palm Island to look at possible future boat driving roles.
- Maitana has improved her confidence, alongside her English and hopes to join an arts project with us in the future
- Luca our Guadeloupe domino champion has also grown in confidence during the two weeks with us, a lovely guy to be around always willing to help and volunteering for anything that needs doing. A very intelligent young man who will go far given an opportunity.
- Kitana is another intelligent participant having studied biology would love an internship with WEB – Nigel can you help us, but until then may return as a volunteer in KIA, Ibisa, Hunto and some of our other arts and sports projects.
- Marine – even with her limited English has been accepted to try out a morning with Montessori (thanks Irayka) maybe we can host her on a future volunteering experience.
So everyone – thanks for your impact on our amazing participants!
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