South African Journey

7 July 2009

On Sunday 5 July, eleven young people from YMCAs across the south of England departed for South Africa as part of the ‘Inner Journey’ project.

‘Inner Journey’ is a global youth work project which explores the issues of HIV and AIDS, youth justice, conservation, animal rights and cultural diversity, through residentials, personal learning and a visit to South Africa. In 2008, it won the award at Y Care International’s Youth Workers Network conference for ‘Best Global Youth Project’.

The project, which is in its third year, is headed up by Angus Wingfield, who is Housing Manager at Eastbourne & Wealden YMCA and a member of our Youth Workers Network. It involves young people spending three and a half weeks living in the bush, fending for themselves and learning about conservation and the environment. They meet with young people from KwaZulu Natal YMCA and learn about issues which are important to young people in South Africa, including youth justice and HIV/AIDS. The project helps to build their self-esteem and confidence through the physical, mental and emotional challenges they experience. Y Care International has been supporting the project for the past three years, offering training to the groups on youth justice issues in South Africa.

Prior to their departure, the young people completed four months of training to prepare them for the visit, including assignments, research, workshops and team building exercises. On their return from South Africa, the young people are involved in giving presentations about their experiences and working with young people in their communities to raise awareness of the issues.

Young people who have been involved in previous years have gone on to become peer leaders in the following years project. This year sees Scott from last years project working with the staff as a senior young person.

Previous 'Inner Journey' participants and Angus Wingfield meet HRH Prince Edward.

Back in March, young people from last year’s project met HRH Prince Edward at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. Angus Wingfield commented: “He was very impressed with the project and the young people taking part. He particularly liked the way in which we take young people on foot into the bush, as a way of understanding why the conservation of wild places is
important.”