This solely UK based programme area fosters the involvement of whole communities in the realisation of individual and collective potential as residents of the UK and members of the European Union. As part of our commitment to development awareness, we occasionally enroll London pupils on work experience programmes with us. Here is the feedback from one of the beneficiaries of the programme:
As a 15-year-old youth, attending a secondary school in Blackheath. London, I had to look for a work placement of my choice for duration of 2 weeks. I searched hard and long writing to different organisations, sadly all the companies turned me down. I then contacted a company called AfA (Alliances For Africa) and they accepted me.
Overall, most of the time that I spent at AfA I really enjoyed myself. I was treated like an 'important employee'. I got the chance to feel in control by making phone calls, answering calls, using the computers and also many other things.
At AfA I also had the great opportunity to learn that development is needed in all different aspects of life. I learnt that the Internet is the source of information, (anything you need, it will be found if it has a website). I also found out more about search engines like Google and Yahoo! and how they find information in a remarkable amount of time.
Before coming to AfA, I wanted and had planned to learn the things that I learnt about, which I of course enjoyed. The only thing which I was looking forward to was to learn and didn't was about the finance of the company. I wanted to know about this because I was personally interested in the income of the company and how AfA dealt with money matters on a day-to-day basis.
AfA have helped me understand Economics in a good way and also about development. AfA helped me to understand that development is a serious matter. It is a case where a lot of help is needed to resume and overcome certain things. They also made me understand how certain countries in Africa become critical states and how development from parts of the world can help. AfA helped me again to understand Economics n which the way they helped me to understand development.
During my stay at AfA, I visited The House Of Commons to witness a debate I really did not enjoy the debate, (which was on peace). It was a bit boring. At the debate there was a selection of intellectual people. There was an MP, a University lecturer and other people from different organisations. The debate went on for about 2 hours and during the 2 hours there where a lot of talking and raised voices. There were several points which the people were trying to get across to one another, the points being that peace between people and countries should be taught in schools and also that different organisations were publishing books on peace which were to be sent to different schools. As a youth, I thought that the debate was boring as well as necessary since in the world today there is no peace. I also feel that youths need to express their feelings towards MPs and also to be able to state what things can be done to overcome peace.
In conclusion to my report about AfA I am pleased to announce that I enjoyed myself. I learnt about things, which I didn't know about before, and also more about my own culture and many countries in Africa and the way in which they live their lives.
A report by Fola Lawal, age 15
A ST Joseph Academy pupil on work experience.