Isabelle Kathleen Sofia Thorsen

My project was about facilitating and teaching Children Club members about CC-management at schools in the community. The topics were roles & responsibilities, conducting meetings, writing minutes, publishing wall magazine, mapping resources, to raise funds, account keeping, making plans and securing progress and much more. The facilities at schools are poor (class rooms with no furniture, no boards, raw concrete walls, no light, no paper and pens etc) and it differs much from what I know about in my western country. I am impressed that knowledge development can be done in this environment. The children are so eager to learn and develop their skills. I experienced this focus, interest, so much ‘want to learn’ – and I met some very talented youngsters. If these talents are being developed, encouraged and if the opportunities are in place, I strongly believe these children will be able to make a great difference in the future. As additional benefits the children had training to improve their English language skills, their skills of speaking out loud own opinions and their self-esteem. But I my opinion it still needs support from e.g. organizations and more resourceful people. I will remember this experience with joy, and in my heart the children got their own place. In this place there is also the feeling that there is still so much to be done. I deeply feel that I made a difference – and that both I and the children achieved benefits.