UK Action Android App - 14/08/12
As part of the GX programme we had to take part in a UK Action project. I decided to make mine an android app. The theme of the app is saving water. It shows you ways to save water in your home. The main feature is a 'virtual flush'. If you place a displacer (e.g. a brick, filled plastic bottle) in your toilet's tank then enter the size of it into your app you can monitor how this saves you a lot of water.
It is my first time developing an android app plus the deadline for UK Action is tomorrow. This just means I may add some better features to the app at a later date.
To download the app:
1) On your android phone choose Settings >> Applications >> Unknown sources. Tick Unknown sources to allow the app to be downloaded.
2) Using a web browser on your android phone follow this download link: http://www.2shared.com/file/LQpjqCHd/FlushTracker.html
3) Download the file (FlushTracker.apk). Once complete click and install.
EASY! Enjoy.
Returning Home - 01/04/12
Final moments with the group
Our community farewell to Newcastle took place on Friday 23rd March. It was a wonderful night celebrating all our work and saying a huge thank you to our host homes, work placements, and anyone we had met along the way.
Sunday 25th March was the day we left Newcastle, with a tearful goodbye from our host homes as they waved us off. We later arrived in London for our debrief.
The debrief had a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere and the group were getting on better than ever. Sessions focused on the positive things we have gained, how we can use the experience in the futures, and praising one another for our achievements. The latter was particularly nice because things were said and recognition was given for things which you otherwise may have thought had gone unnoticed. Of course we don't all do things for recognition or credit, but it is nice to know that others appreciated it.
We have all returned to our respective homes now. It is a strange feeling. You know when you were in school and you went on a week long residential with other schools? You all agree to stay in contact, you have all your inside jokes, nicknames, memories. This soon fizzles out but that initial return home you feel you have lost your routine and group - the things you say or do won't mean anything any more which were once hilarious.
Now imagine that residential was 6 months. Probably without the fizzling.
The programme was in two phases - each 3 months. The team were together the whole time. I have found 3 months is just long enough to build good relationships with people (host homes, work colleagues) - only then to have to leave them. 6 months is enough time to build incredible relationships with people. Now we are spread across all corners of the UK and Namibia.
Coming home is still very exciting. My puppy, Jasper, is no longer a puppy but still seems to recognise me. My family are around; my bed is big and comfortable (and mine); I have a room to myself for the first time in 6 months!
I still have the return volunteers day to attend and also UK Action where I have to organise a small event focussing on a global issue. A part from that it is now time to try and make some money and get a job (something GX has been incredibly useful for in application, already getting me two interviews)!
Finally, I have been to Namibia, Newcastle and back.
Ubunye - 25/03/12
Ubunye, as mentioned in a previous post, was the name of an event Coco, my counterpart, and I were put in charge of running. We chose the name when Coco suggested words to put into an English-Zulu translator and then we chose one that was relevant and sounded nice. Unity returned Ubunye - however I have kept the fact that it directly translates to English to 'singular' quiet as to not defeat the reasons for picking the name.
The event was put together with the organisations our volunteers were placed with - with performances from each. We also had stalls for each charity along with others who were also associated with homelessness.
The purpose of the event was to show what can be achieved if people/charities/communities work together. GX has a big thing about doing something sustainable - not just a moment or two - and so we hope Ubunye was just another step building connections and relationships between like-minded charities. Simple things like being aware of what one another offer; if one service does not meet a person's needs they can direct them to one that does. Supporting one another like this will benefit everyone massively especially with the budget cuts going on.
On stage saying something very inspiring about unity and homelessness
I was particularly proud of the members from Crisis Skylight Newcastle who Coco and I had been working with to plan their contribution to the presentations. With all the ideas coming from them they put together a wonderful display demonstrating the fantastic things Crisis has to offer. They even had the audience singing along with them at one point. All of the members were a joy to work with and their enthusiasm and praise for Crisis is extraordinary.
The afternoon had testimonies, presentations, songs, poetry, and films.
One highlight for me was when Coco got her words slightly muddled and said thanks to all the organisations for "contributing to homelessness" - luckily most people knew what she meant. That's not to fault Coco as she always displays an abundance of confidence with public speaking.
Over 75 people came along including service users/members, paid staff in the sector, volunteers in the sector and others who were interested in homelessness.
Thank you to everyone involved for making it possible...
Crisis
SVP
NERS
Riverside CHP
Scotswood NCG
Aquila Way
Sunderland YMCA
Action Foundation
The Prince's Trust
Progress to Work
Tomorrow's People
The event was put together with the organisations our volunteers were placed with - with performances from each. We also had stalls for each charity along with others who were also associated with homelessness.
The purpose of the event was to show what can be achieved if people/charities/communities work together. GX has a big thing about doing something sustainable - not just a moment or two - and so we hope Ubunye was just another step building connections and relationships between like-minded charities. Simple things like being aware of what one another offer; if one service does not meet a person's needs they can direct them to one that does. Supporting one another like this will benefit everyone massively especially with the budget cuts going on.
On stage saying something very inspiring about unity and homelessness
I was particularly proud of the members from Crisis Skylight Newcastle who Coco and I had been working with to plan their contribution to the presentations. With all the ideas coming from them they put together a wonderful display demonstrating the fantastic things Crisis has to offer. They even had the audience singing along with them at one point. All of the members were a joy to work with and their enthusiasm and praise for Crisis is extraordinary.
The afternoon had testimonies, presentations, songs, poetry, and films.
One highlight for me was when Coco got her words slightly muddled and said thanks to all the organisations for "contributing to homelessness" - luckily most people knew what she meant. That's not to fault Coco as she always displays an abundance of confidence with public speaking.
Over 75 people came along including service users/members, paid staff in the sector, volunteers in the sector and others who were interested in homelessness.
Thank you to everyone involved for making it possible...
SVP
NERS
Riverside CHP
Scotswood NCG
Aquila Way
Sunderland YMCA
Action Foundation
The Prince's Trust
Progress to Work
Tomorrow's People
Namibian Independence Day Celebrations - 23/03/12
Last Wednesday - 21st March - it was Namibian Independence Day. This not too distant day in 1990 marked when Namibia gained their independence after being colonised by the Germans from 1884. I'll leave it to you to wikipedia the history if you are interested since I am not the best person to explain it.
Whilst in Windhoek, the German influence was very apparant still in the street names. Also Afrikaans is a West German language and so the history with Germany is always visibile.
Since it marks such an important day for Namibia and their struggle for independence we held a celebration. This came in the form of a brai (barbecue) with lots, and I mean LOTS, of Namibian meat. We even had 'real potato chips' ordered in - the mass variety of crisps here in the UK just does not cut it for Namibian Independence Day!
Dancing - spot the awkward white male dancer.
With the sun coming out for the occassion a short Namibian history was presented by AM and a few words spoken by other volunteers. Namibian music was played throughout and I was instantly taken back to the early hours in Rundu when the same tracks were constantly played by some nearby room or house at full volume.
One of many falls - see me rush to assist
Later on the GX team took to the ice rink. For many it was their first time on ice. AM had a valiant effort, entering through one gate, edging along the wall to the next and not returning after. Others stuck at it and despite lots of falls everyone had a great time and was a great way to end a lovely day.
Whilst in Windhoek, the German influence was very apparant still in the street names. Also Afrikaans is a West German language and so the history with Germany is always visibile.
Since it marks such an important day for Namibia and their struggle for independence we held a celebration. This came in the form of a brai (barbecue) with lots, and I mean LOTS, of Namibian meat. We even had 'real potato chips' ordered in - the mass variety of crisps here in the UK just does not cut it for Namibian Independence Day!
Dancing - spot the awkward white male dancer.
With the sun coming out for the occassion a short Namibian history was presented by AM and a few words spoken by other volunteers. Namibian music was played throughout and I was instantly taken back to the early hours in Rundu when the same tracks were constantly played by some nearby room or house at full volume.
One of many falls - see me rush to assist
Later on the GX team took to the ice rink. For many it was their first time on ice. AM had a valiant effort, entering through one gate, edging along the wall to the next and not returning after. Others stuck at it and despite lots of falls everyone had a great time and was a great way to end a lovely day.
Rundu in the Metro - 20/03/12
When in Namibia no stories came up in the local news about how a dead pig that some thought was a turtle, rock or an amalgamation of all three appeared in the River Parrett in Bridgwater. However now back in the UK it would appear Rundu is making headlines as well as myself. A piece about a crocodile attacking a lady in a River near Rundu appeared in the Metro - an always reliable source of top quality news.
I couldn't help but just think "I've been there and probably no one else on this train knows of the place!" rather than care about the story itself.
I couldn't help but just think "I've been there and probably no one else on this train knows of the place!" rather than care about the story itself.
I Am Bald - 17/03/12
See - I told you!
As mentioned previously, one of the GX volunteers has been fundraising for their placement organisation, Norcare, and as part of this people were invited to shave their heads for sponsorship.
Now, I was one of those people and last Thursday (15th March) I had the trim along with my Namibian counterpart AM. For AM it was good news, he has been wearing a hat the whole time he's been in the UK because he hasn't had his usual, very frequent, shave - so it was essentially a free haircut for him! However, for me it was not quite as exciting.
Just before the cut
AM getting his much wanted haircut
Me getting my hair cut
Andrew, AM and I with our new look
Now of course this was to raise money for Norcare so please donate some money on my JustGiving page - you can give as much or as little as you like!
or text
'BLDP70' followed by £1/£2/£3/£4/£5/£10 to 70070
Ubuntu, Open Mic Night - 15/03/12
I may have mentioned the idea of a CAD (community action day) previously and in each phase we have to hold at least two of these. In Namibia (phase 1) we did a hospital visit, a clean up day and a summer school.
So Ubuntu was our first CAD of the UK phase and it happened last Friday. This was the name of an art and creative writing workshop one of our volunteers, Eden, ran through her placement, North of England Refugee Service (NERS - but be careful googling this since the first hit is North of England Rat Society) focussing on the concept of Ubuntu. According to good ol' wikipedia, Ubuntu is an African ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other.
Displaying Ubuntu Workshop Work
The CAD was a spin off - an open mic night to raise awareness about different types on homelessness involving the work from the workshops.
The Audience
A couple of street performers came along to make sure we had someone playing however with over 60 heads through the door (maybe people caught on to the fact we had money behind the bar for a free coffee per person) the performance list got quite busy.
Performers on Stage
A youth group called All Points North joined the audience and also contributed performances. Poetry about homelessness; a talk about asylum seekers and a video; and an advert about an event they are holding to further raise awareness. As well as this we had a presentation and video played to also raise awareness.
All in all the night was a great success and we were all very pleased with how it went!
So Ubuntu was our first CAD of the UK phase and it happened last Friday. This was the name of an art and creative writing workshop one of our volunteers, Eden, ran through her placement, North of England Refugee Service (NERS - but be careful googling this since the first hit is North of England Rat Society) focussing on the concept of Ubuntu. According to good ol' wikipedia, Ubuntu is an African ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other.
Displaying Ubuntu Workshop Work
The CAD was a spin off - an open mic night to raise awareness about different types on homelessness involving the work from the workshops.
The Venue
We found a coffee shop run by a church called The Basement who offered a room for the event at a discount price. It is a very nice venue and with the room they provided us with a sound man and a P.A. as well as putting all the chairs away for us.The Event
With beanbags, stalls, sofas and blankets we went for a relaxed atmosphere. We dotted around a couple of board games to play too. As well as displays of artwork and photographs there was a homelessness quiz or two being circulated.
The Audience
A couple of street performers came along to make sure we had someone playing however with over 60 heads through the door (maybe people caught on to the fact we had money behind the bar for a free coffee per person) the performance list got quite busy.
Performers on Stage
A youth group called All Points North joined the audience and also contributed performances. Poetry about homelessness; a talk about asylum seekers and a video; and an advert about an event they are holding to further raise awareness. As well as this we had a presentation and video played to also raise awareness.
My Job on the Night
So I some how landed the job of organising who is going on stage and when. It proved very stressful and hard to keep track of. At one point I accidentally started to say thank you to an act and introduce the next one before I realised she had another song to perform. The advantage was I could use a wireless microphone and have my voice heard whislt hidden way in any part of the room.All in all the night was a great success and we were all very pleased with how it went!
Stardom - 09/03/12
It turns out I have a pretty high profile piece in a rather popular newspaper. Won't be long before I'll be making appearances on the Jonathan Ross show or being interviewed by Stephen Fry on the radio.
The Bridgwater Mercury have put me up there with the likes of people who drive their cars into ditches!
Click it to see the online version but the gist of it is sponsor me getting rid of my gorgeous locks of hair. To do so just select 'Norcare - Shaving Heads' from the drop down menu at the top of this page and click sponsor me. Even if it's just a quid! It's a really good cause.
Norcare have suffered from the cuts our government have made and they really help empower vulnerable people so please donate.
The Bridgwater Mercury have put me up there with the likes of people who drive their cars into ditches!
Click it to see the online version but the gist of it is sponsor me getting rid of my gorgeous locks of hair. To do so just select 'Norcare - Shaving Heads' from the drop down menu at the top of this page and click sponsor me. Even if it's just a quid! It's a really good cause.
Norcare have suffered from the cuts our government have made and they really help empower vulnerable people so please donate.
Ubunye Event with Crisis - 06/03/12
Coco and I have been given the task of holding an event at the end of the phase involving all the organisations we are placed with and more. We have called the event 'Ubunye' which means 'Unity' in Zulu. The idea is to have 10 minute presentations from the service users of the organisations showing the positive impact it has had on their life. After this there are 12 (at the moment) different organisations associated with homelessness present with stalls giving a good chance for people to network. We hope that the event builds bridges and stronger relationships between the organisations as well as bringing in volunteers, service users and donors interest for them all.
For Crisis Skylight's contribution to the presentations we have been working with members to create a small performance. The group are very enthusiastic and we meet every Thursday to plan Crisis Skylight's participation in the event.
What is particularly nice about the atmosphere here in Skylight is everyone feels equal and no-one puts anyone else down. Though Coco and I are there to run the session, really the members run it; the input from them means that Coco and I really only need to make note of all the ideas and progress made. In their spare time songs, scripts and art work have been made for the performance and they never seem to argue about anything.
When talking about what they think people should know what you can get out of Crisis, although skills/qualifications/support were mentioned, these weren't the ones that stood out.
Ordinarly if I had seen some of these people in the streets I would assume negative things - but this isn't the case.
A singing group held in my secondary school would most likely attract a small group of girls and that would be it - a lot would still be rather shy attempting to sing. Here there was a mixture of gender and age and every single person give singing their best go.
Anyway, the five components of Crisis Skylight they decided on including in our presentation are:
Performance; drama, singing, ...
Personal Development; Progression Co-ordinators, Job Clubs, ...
Communication; Creative writing, ESOL, ...
Creation; Art, Sculpture, ...
I will finish with a small scenario I witnessed.
Two members waiting for a session. One comments on a rash developing on their wrist because of the metal on their watch. The other member says, "You need to get one of those velcro strapped watches - I have one. You can have it if you want because you are a friend, you know, and I want you to have it."
The conversation then goes on to say, "There isn't a single person in this world I don't love, whether black, white, straight, gay, I love them all. I love talking to people on the bus. I love meeting people at the bus stop."
This is the kind of things you are likely to hear everyday in the Crisis Skylight centre and that in itself shows it is doing a brilliant thing. Some of these people have had it incredibly tough through their lives - yet we could learn so much from their attitudes!
UK Culture Bump - 21/02/12
Back in September last year I recall being promised that we WILL experience culture shock - not only going overseas, but coming home again. Now, as of yet I wouldn't say I have had that much culture shock coming back to the UK. However I have noticed certain things as if they were slightly more amplified than usual. This post will discuss the culture bump I have had.
Temptation
The one that is eating away at my bank balance is the variety and temptation. I have gone a little trigger happy with my debit card thanks to how much there is in the shops and how easy it is to purchase it. Given the following statements,
[1] Anytime, any day there is a shop open with in walking distance.
[2] Usually I don't know what I want but I know if there is somewhere open there will be something I want in it.
we can conclude there is always something I want readily available. I bought spicy, crispy seaweed the other day. Usually the culprits are crisps, fizzy drinks, pasties, chocolate, meal deals, or anything with £1 written on it's price tag.
Buying things should be made more difficult. This is how people get poor. Maybe a moat around the sandwich fridge with Tesco employees pouring boiling oil from above would deter me - it would also discourage obesity. The bigger targets would be easier to hit.
Computers
When being away from electricity people often say "Wow, life is much better without [insert social network here] - I'll never use it again..." Wrong! You will use it again. The internet is such an incredible tool. It makes communicating, researching and all sorts a lot easier and my days at work are orientated around computers. In Namibia we'd have to walk in the sweltering heat for several miles to ask someone if we can borrow their hammer.
My spare time is much different - I have started using the internet to learn the odd skill...even more so than before I left. I learnt braille the other night (I can now see how different the buttons on ticket machines are to the blind); another evening I researched many different paradoxes; my understanding of the words 'lie' and 'lay' is very deep; and I never realised how many approaches to solve a sudoku there were.
All of this thanks to computers! Yes, I can live without them, but when they are there I will use them - A LOT.
Manners
Finally, I will mention manners. Of course etiquette is a massive thing in cultures. A way to sum up the difference between Namibia and UK is in Namibia you are polite to strangers and rude to your friends. Here you are rude to strangers and polite to your friends. The reason I say this is because the more you get to know someone in Namibia, the more 'comfortable' you are with eachother - which means taking stuff or demanding one another to move is more acceptable, apparently. Here we don't give time to every stranger that walks by to greet them but we will to our friends.
There are exceptions to this rule. I noticed our community welcome in Namibia people sat and waited for the speaking. Here everyone 'mingled'. Us Brits seem to love small talk but just only once we have stopped moving. In the streets or on the train you rarely speak to a stranger. Hell, I even pretend I haven't see my friends sometimes so I don't slow down getting to my destination. But once we are in one place anything but silence is what we like.
Finally, finally, saying sorry. Straight away I found myself apologising too much. I said sorry for handing back some equipment I had borrowed. If someone walks into me - I'll apologise.
Temptation
The one that is eating away at my bank balance is the variety and temptation. I have gone a little trigger happy with my debit card thanks to how much there is in the shops and how easy it is to purchase it. Given the following statements,
[1] Anytime, any day there is a shop open with in walking distance.
[2] Usually I don't know what I want but I know if there is somewhere open there will be something I want in it.
we can conclude there is always something I want readily available. I bought spicy, crispy seaweed the other day. Usually the culprits are crisps, fizzy drinks, pasties, chocolate, meal deals, or anything with £1 written on it's price tag.
Buying things should be made more difficult. This is how people get poor. Maybe a moat around the sandwich fridge with Tesco employees pouring boiling oil from above would deter me - it would also discourage obesity. The bigger targets would be easier to hit.
Computers
When being away from electricity people often say "Wow, life is much better without [insert social network here] - I'll never use it again..." Wrong! You will use it again. The internet is such an incredible tool. It makes communicating, researching and all sorts a lot easier and my days at work are orientated around computers. In Namibia we'd have to walk in the sweltering heat for several miles to ask someone if we can borrow their hammer.
My spare time is much different - I have started using the internet to learn the odd skill...even more so than before I left. I learnt braille the other night (I can now see how different the buttons on ticket machines are to the blind); another evening I researched many different paradoxes; my understanding of the words 'lie' and 'lay' is very deep; and I never realised how many approaches to solve a sudoku there were.
All of this thanks to computers! Yes, I can live without them, but when they are there I will use them - A LOT.
Manners
Finally, I will mention manners. Of course etiquette is a massive thing in cultures. A way to sum up the difference between Namibia and UK is in Namibia you are polite to strangers and rude to your friends. Here you are rude to strangers and polite to your friends. The reason I say this is because the more you get to know someone in Namibia, the more 'comfortable' you are with eachother - which means taking stuff or demanding one another to move is more acceptable, apparently. Here we don't give time to every stranger that walks by to greet them but we will to our friends.
There are exceptions to this rule. I noticed our community welcome in Namibia people sat and waited for the speaking. Here everyone 'mingled'. Us Brits seem to love small talk but just only once we have stopped moving. In the streets or on the train you rarely speak to a stranger. Hell, I even pretend I haven't see my friends sometimes so I don't slow down getting to my destination. But once we are in one place anything but silence is what we like.
Finally, finally, saying sorry. Straight away I found myself apologising too much. I said sorry for handing back some equipment I had borrowed. If someone walks into me - I'll apologise.
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