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We had lots of things in common like age, a similar vision, the same thoughts, a similar daily schedule, comparable problems, identical dress, and the same attraction as well as influence for alternatives.
I really enjoyed the international night, where we danced with each other and experienced the British culture. An Open mike, culture program, fashion show and concert were the interesting parts.
It still clings in my memory; the Indian girls proposed to me a dance with them, but my friend with out asking me said no. Similarly, I missed the chance to performance in the cultural programme because I lost my national dress.
I was involved in different extra curriculur activities as an active participant. We were so crazy for football that we didn't stop the game even when it rained. I didn't know why my football team always won the game. The notable thing is that I was the representative from the country of Mt. Everest - the highest peak of the world, but had only taken wall climbing in summer school in the United Kingdom.
There was a board that stated the danger of swimming in the ocean. It meant that we could just touch and feel the ocean but could not swim in it. If we were eager to swim, we could swim in the college's indoor or outdoor swimming pool. The ocean’s beach was the place where I used to spend time, and when I remembered my friends and family.
Ocean, the partner who just listens, but does not speak; can touch but cannot give response. It flows in its waves without thinking of what is coming up. You know, I have spent lots of moments just looking at the waves. I saw a ship moving on its smooth motion; I knew it would be in water for many weeks on its trip. Just for a few days, while I was thinking about my work and home, life must have been developing as a journey.
We always don't like it when it rains. The weather was crazy; we could not tell when it was going to rain. Likewise, the college jungle was a lovely place for all the youth to sit and chat.
Those seven days developed like a year. On the second day, with a feeling of hesitation, I introduced myself to a girl during breakfast time and shared my interest in her; we had a meal with her that day. After lunch, we had time to browse the net. During that time, we used to fix the activities that we were going to do on that day.
We had played foot ball where she kicked my leg.
"Sorry", she said to me; not during the foot ball match, but in an email. That day, the evening musical program started where we enjoyed ourselves alot. Ms. Hanna Balshakov, a tall, gorgeous, talkative girl, was with me throughout the program.
I still remember after finishing the musical program at 11.00 pm, we two walked towards the house in the moon-light night on the open sky. Under the open sky, we had stayed in a chair; looked at the ocean and talked about our future. Her face was totally white. I compared her face to the moon; the moon has freedom of motion, but she had stayed on the chair which was attached to the earth. That signified that she couldn't move freely and had a lot to do in her life. The moment was totally pleasing. The sound of the air striking the leaves produced the fragrance of pleasure in the moon-light night.
On the last day, it was time to return to London, but her and a few friends had made a plan to go to Scotland for the 3rd World Youth congress Pre Com meeting. I had also wished to go to Scotland, but the program was already fixed and I had to go some where else. We were not able to bear the separation. The departure had made both of us very sad. We had to take separate buses and finally depart. None of the others were in a happy mood. All of us will surely miss the joyous momenst. I raised my hands to bid her good bye. I saw her bus drive into the horizon unitl I couldn't see it anymore.
I had submitted my 100 words for a summer school competition on the, “Best Idea to Change the World”, among 300 participants. My idea was considered the best so, I was rewarded 75 pounds from the British Council’s representative. Friends gave me suggestions to create an organization based on the winning idea; to touch each component of the earth and shake hands for collaboration. Just then, I had addressed the mass of people, which would work to implementation and open an international organization to deal with ICT, youth and Peace issues.
The organizers, Mr. Dayo and Ms. Lisa Belfon (Summer School Coordinators), are still in my memory. I had a surprise dinner with Michael, the Director of the center for Innovation and involuntary action (CIVA) in summer school; I had not forgotten to explain my strategy to organize an international youth camp in Nepal.
If there is any person who after attending this summer school, felt an impact on thier life and work in international networking, leadership and organizational management, it’s me. I am sure after my participation in the summer school that I have developed all the skills I learned in the summer school. As a result, I am implementing all of the skills and qualities that I gained in my organization.
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International Summer School for Young Africans Temidayo Israel-Abdulai | May 15th, 2006
Hi Everyone,
Compliments and Best Wishes.
I am writing to inform you about the 1st International Summer School for Young Africans being organized by the Africa Diaspora Youth Forum (UK) in Nigeria from the 23rd – 30th July 2006. The Summer School would be held for a week would draw speakers and trainers from all over Africa and its Diaspora and is being supported by Virgin Nigeria, Africa Leadership Forum, London Metropolitan University and a lot of other International Organizations in Africa and its Diaspora.
The Summer School would be focused on building the capacities of Young Africans in Africa and it’s Diaspora and would be an opportunity for Empowerment and Capacity Building for Young Africans. The event which would be held in Nigeria would be declared open by the President of Nigeria and the Closing Ceremony would be attended by the President of Malawi and Kenya. We have specially selected and invited seasoned trainers and speakers from all over Africa and its Diaspora to teach, train and inspire the over 300 delegates expected at the event.
Our last weeklong Leadership Training for the West African Sub-region in March 2005 was rated excellence and was supported by the Lagos State Government, British Council, Africa Leadership Forum, Air France, and AREF; Nevertheless the 1st International Summer School would be great as it would not only bring together Young Africans from Africa and it’s Diaspora for the whole week but would also create a platform for a Strong Partnership between Africa and its Diaspora.
Some of this years Speakers and Trainers includes and the list are increasing daily:
• Dr. Dapo Oyewole – CEO CAPPS UK www.thinkafrica.org
• Richie Dayo Johnson – CEO Richmond Academy UK www.richmondjohnson.com
• Dr. Ajayi – Africa Leadership Forum Nigeria www.africaleadership.org
• Ambassador Segun Olusola AREF www.aref.org
• Dr. Keem Bello Osagie
• Gbenga Sesan – Africa Digital Divide www.gbengasesan.com
• Lanre Suraj – HEDAGENDA www.hedagenda.org
• Dr. Titi Banjoko – Africa Recruit UK www.africarecruit.com
• Ndidi Okwonkwo – LEAP Africa www.leapafrica.org
• Hafsat Abiola – Kind Nigeria www.kindnigeria.org
• Ellen Brogren – Young General Assembly www.youngga.org
• Dr. Fola Adeola – UK Commission for Africa www.cfa.org.uk
• Dr. Firmino Mucavale – NEPAD www.nepad.org
• Dr. Man Joof – ECOWAS www.ecowas.org
Some of the objectives of the Summer School include:
• To create an avenue for Empowerment and Capacity Building for Young Africans in Africa and its Diaspora.
• To promote Citizenship Education amongst Young Africans
• To create an opportunity for delegates to meet other Young Leaders from all over Africa to discuss issues relating to Africa’s Development, Share Ideas, Build their capacities and network with one another
• To establish an avenue for Young Africans in Africa and its Diaspora to engage in the actualization of the MDG’s and the NEPAD Framework for Africa’s Development.
Sessions would be focused on themes such as Human Right and Democracy, Leadership, Good Governance and Accountability, Youth and Leadership in Africa, Environment and Sustainable Development amongst others.
Skill Training would cover Leadership Skills, Effective Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Vocational Skills, Public Speaking Skills, Project Management, Fundraising Skills, Employability Skills, Conflict Management, and many more. There would also be IT Training Sessions to train delegates on How to make effective use of the Internet/Web.
There are many opportunities and ways you could be involved in the Summer School for Young Africans, either by:
• Attending the Summer School as a delegate
• Making a Presentation at the Summer School either as a Professional or as a Young Activist with experience (Youth Leader/Trainer)
• Sponsoring a Delegate to attend
• Sponsoring a Session at the Summer School
• Exhibiting at the Summer School and many more
For all correspondence, please email summerschool@youngdiaspora.org or dayo@youngdiaspora.org. Tel: +44-208-331-3887 and +44-79-3024-7915. www.summerschool.youngdiaspora.org and www.youngdiaspora.org
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