UK sign-off (from Ruth)

Since being back in the UK I have returned to work at the pub and I've hardly had two minutes to get over the jet lag never mind blog so apologies for this late thank you. It's now Friday night and I've just finished my shift so here goes...

Firstly, these past few weeks in Uruguay have really made me realise that I have so much to give and potential to fulfill. During this project I have used skills that I either didnt know I had or that I have not used in a very long time. This has really pushed me into new ways of thinking and I am applying this positive attitude into work and other related projects.

This week I am looking forward to reflecting on my time in Uruguay, filling out a self-assessment form as well as updating my CV!

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank Youth in Action, Momentum World and out friends in South America for giving me this incredible life-changing experience. I truly believe it has and will continue to benefit me and my future. I will speak of this project to others with passion and with a huge smile on my face! I can't speak highly enough of just how much a person can gain from these projects, both in terms of life experience as well professional and personal development. I am really looking forward to doing a bit of research and seeing what other projects I can get involved in in the near future! Thank you again! I owe you!

Film About The Project

Enjoy this short film about Oceans Divide, Youth Unites

Competition Time

See how many times Amy 'photo bombs' this project video - she should have been in a project in Scotland, don't know how she ended up in South America!!!

Lights, Camera, Action!

The project is slowly coming to the overall end. Ruth has returned to Britain while I have travelled back to Paraguay for the final evaluation of the programme.

We have looked at the successes of the project and how we can improve this is the future. The impact it has had directly of the life's of young people and the inspiration it has created.

Tuesday was rather a surprise and spontaneous trip to a local television station. I had no idea this trip was coming on how close I had been to this location during my time here in Paraguay. We were taken into the TV Studio and asked to sit on the sofa to be interviewed for the morning breakfast programme. I was instantly a little worried as the programme was to be in Guarani (my basic Spanish would not be enough). However I spoke briefly about Momentum World and my role out in Paraguay, which was translated.

 Not only was appearing on the channel an interesting experience, but for a Film and TV graduate like me it is was like being in a toy shop. I visited the gallery and walked around the small studio that had several different sets all build in, pulled out of walls and ceilings. Through all of this what surprised me most was that there was only three members of the team visible, 1 the presenter, 1 operating 3 cameras and 1 on vision mix. I wanted to know more about why this television studio wasn't packed full of young volunteers and luckily for me the director of the company agreed to meet with me.

I met Tobias Wiens the founder of the TV station. He was a young man who told me that him and his brother started the channel Cristal six month ago as they both have an interest in this field. We spoke about the different programming that they conduct here and together tried to explore any future projects our two organisations can work on together in the future. Tobias tells me that there are no qualifications or areas of studies available here in Cuidad del Este for young people interested in film. For this reason they travel to Brazil.  He hopes that over the next few months they will be ready to receive young people interested in this field, and I agree that this is something we can explore together.

Overall I greatly enjoyed my time visiting Cristal studios, I wish I had found it sooner. I very much hope that in the future we can create a community project using film which benefits and develops both our culture and young people. 

P.S. I had great fun pretending to be an on the scenes reporter hehe :)

Adios amigos

Today I had to say goodbye to Carmen, without whom I wouldn't have been able to experience as much as I did. Thankfully the goodbye was short and sweet because I don't think I had enough tissues left after yesterday's goodbyes! Carmen has been a fantastic travel buddy and I feel very lucky to have met her. A constant laugh and a great friend. Thank you Carmen.

Before heading to the airport I had a few hours to kill so I headed to Montevideo with David, Andres and Adrian. We toured the capital, ate food and went to visit Uruguay's national football stadium! A great afternoon keeping busy...just what I need before the return leg of this epic journey!!

Departure lounge reflections...

Today marks the end of my time in Uruguay and what a magnificent experience it has been!

This project has really opened my eyes to different cultures as well as developed me as a person, in both a personal and professional sense. 

It has given me the confidence and belief in myself that I can go out and achieve things as an individual. I have been open minded and embraced the kindness of others and their cultures. I have made friends and developed professional contacts with people from all over the world. This can surely only be a good thing as it provides me with contacts and opportunities for my future, in both a social and professional capacity. I am now heading home with a new sense of energy and mindset as I look toward my future.

To anyone reading this blog and contemplating getting involved in a project...dont think twice about it!! There's something to be gained for everyone...no matter how big or small!

As for the job shadowing it has provided me with the opportunity to learn about the initiatives and opportunities available to young people in the local and rural areas of Colonia. I have been able to draw  similarities and differences between that of Colonia and the UK regarding the issues that young people face in education, as well as the opportunities available to them in both education and life in general. It has encouraged me to think differently about my own situation as well as made me think about my own necessities in life. 

I have also been able to provide Momentum World with a global platform, promoting their work and 2020 education. I hope the contacts I have made will help develop a network of likeminded professionals that we can work with in the near future.

The project itself has brought people together from similar organisations across the globe and has enabled them to share best practice and ideas for future projects. I hope very much to be a part of these as I use the relations I have made to help carry out their inspiring work.

This project really has exceeded my own expectations and it has made me realise the power of international projects for young people like myself.

Ciao ciao

Today I said goodbye to my host Andrea and her family. I was invited to a BBQ by Mariana, a colleague and friend of Andrea's with whom I have spent a lot of time with (both professionally and socially) over these past two weeks.

We met her family and enjoyed fabulous food at her family home. Conversation was in full flow...even if we did speak different languages.

After a while it was time to confront the inevitable and start our goodbyes. We exchanged home addresses and gifts, as well as hugs, kisses and tears.

Afterwards Carmen and I walked back to the hostel across the beach, reflecting on our times together out here. Our goodbye comes tomorrow...I'm definitely not looking forward to that one.

The people out here have been so warm and welcoming and it has been a pleasure to be made a part of their lives these past two weeks. I have learnt so much, not just about their work but about them as people and in turn I have learnt things about me too. I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have made this experience one of the best I have had in my life so far. Without them it definitely wouldn't have been the same. The warmest of wishes to them all. Muchos gracias amigos.

Amy's closing thoughts

Today concludes the Oceans Divide Youth Unites seminar. Some of our new friends will return home, whilst others (including myself) will travel to Paraguay to evaluate the overall process and how we can continue to create fantastic international opportunities for young people together.

The project has been over several months and I feel as though each stage has taught me something new. Hosting job shadower's in the UK allowed me to see Momentums work from a different perspective and how we can work in different ways. Visiting Paraguay allowed me to really learn about another culture, way of life and community which differs to that of my own. An experience that has helped me develop as a young person and really appreciate the opportunities I have been given.
I will bring all that I have learnt back into my future work with young people and strive towards giving others those opportunities.

Overall this project has real potential to create long lasting international connections and partnerships. This work is important to the development of young people and needs to continue.