London Blog

And here is Ben's first blog...

My name is Ben I am from Nigeria on a programme called global xchange which means is an international volunteer programme which gives young people at the age of 18-25 the opportunity to share ideas, skills and also achieve knowledge from each other and other people in and around the community they are being placed, they volunteers are been placed in different host home (in counterpart pairs) and organisation in which they volunteer in that community for three months and then move to the other community for second phase which is also three months, my organisation or my volunteer placement is a secondary school in Akure (Nigeria) I teach the kids computer from the stone age when early man start his life to the information age when computers were available for everybody, the kids were amazing and always concentrating in the class. I usually organised debate and quiz for them every two, two weeks after that I conducted test and exams for them 85% got credit while 10% got pass and that was really encouraging to me and their principal was very impressed about their performance and she even promised to get more text books and computers for them. Every Wednesday and Fridays of the week we organised GCD (global citizenship day) and CAD (community action days) the GCD is between two counterpart pairs who are staying in the same house, me and my counterpart did our GCD on volunteering, the importance, benefit and also it’s disadvantages. And the CAD comprise of everybody including the people of the community we normally ask the people what is their problems in the community so when get their answer we react on it, some say free education and climate change and unemployment etc so we organise a seminar we mount a bill board, distribute waste bin to market women and taxi drivers and also visit primary and secondary schools all in the name of education and climate change, we also visit some of the commissioners, their governor pleading with them to always here the cry of the people so they agreed to their best. Before I come London I was having deferent kinds thoughts, things that crushed on my mind were racism, unfair treatment people not being friendly, people talk very fast, they drink a lot, time conscious etc some of my perception were true while some are not, everything seems to be different here in London and choosing my placement I really wanted to work with Street League because I love sports and also like working with different people and I made to understand that Street League is all about converting the lives of disadvantaged people to become better than they expected and after that the unleashed them to the community, and that really add more grease my elbow.

Over the next three months Street League are lucky enough to have 2 Global Exchange volunteers with us. Global Exchange is a partnership between British Council and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). Please may I introduce Pauline and Ben. They will be updating everyone each fortnight with the goings on and meanderings of a Street League volunteer. Pauline and Ben will be attending many of our training sessions, and so I am sure you will all make them feel very welcome!

Here are the first of their blogs...

Pauline:

Hi, I’m a new volunteer at Street League where I’ll be staying for the next 3 months. I am on a 6 month volunteer programme called Global Xchange run by British Council and VSO. The exchange is between the UK and various countries in Africa and Asia. My exchange is between Nigeria and the UK. GX is for young people between 18-25 years to be active in the community. There are 18 youths in each exchange, 9 from each country and we are placed in host homes and volunteer placements in each community. In addition, each exchange has a theme, ours is climate change and access to education. The first phase of my programme was in Nigeria where I was placed in an education foundation which is about giving skills to and empowering those with physical difficulties. I was also part of the team which organised a seminar on climate change aimed at local secondary schools and NGO’s. Aside from the work aspect, living in Nigeria was a very different experience to the UK. From having to put on factor 50 each day, bartering prices with taxi drivers and trying all the local food from intestines (not nice) to pounded yam (nice). In our free time the team hung out together, went on trips and climbed waterfalls! Now, I am in the second phase of my programme which is in Newham, London. I have been given a new work placement in Street League where I’ve been for 2 weeks now. From the first day here, I knew I would enjoy this placement. Within a few minutes of entering the office and meeting Sophie Hope, the volunteer co-ordinator I was offered tea and crumpets and made to feel at home. I started to get to meet everyone in the office, who were all very welcoming. Riz, one of the coaches gave Ben (my work counterpart) and I tickets to go and see Charlton v Coventry. So, that night I went to see my first ever football match! In the past two weeks through meeting various members of the Street League staff I’ve been discovering what Street League does and how it functions. It’s a really interesting scheme and seems to be working well. My work counterpart and I have been asked to carry out the annual player’s survey so we will be able to attend training sessions around London and meet the players. This Monday saw us taking part in one of the football sessions coached by Aderito. I wasn’t the best player on the pitch but it was still great fun playing 5-a-side and the players were very accepting of us joining in. From January onwards I’ll be out and about carrying out the survey for Street League (and maybe joining in the odd football session)!

Street League also has a Matchday on Wednesday January 14th 2009 at Paddington Recreation Ground from 11am.

Players and Staff are all invited to help us develop the future of Street League! We want your thoughts on what we can do better so please come along to Limegrove Hostel, Shepherds Bush, W12 8EE on Monday 15th December from 2pm to 4pm to share your opinions with us.

Mince Pies will be provided......

You may have realised that 10th December is a weekday. You may even be typing out an email to inform us of this 'mistake' but stop! This is no mistake! This is a deliberate move by Street League to get more teams to matchdays.......so help us by entering your team into the best 5 a side League in London!