I never thought when I picked up my First Class degree from Edinburgh University that two years later I would be sitting in a children's play center as a volunteer, just trying to spend time with kids whose mothers have lived on the streets or were the victims of violence.
Nor did I think, when I was the Founding Secretary General of a Model United Nations Conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that three years later I would be volunteering and sitting in a canteen with some street kids answering questions about the UK.
The truth is, I have, for the last few years, become used to being at the top of things. Either getting the top degree or by being the President of the organization, or in another position responsible in some way for managing whatever organisation I was working for or involved with.
As such, it has been quite a shock and a new experience to go from being at the top, to being at the bottom. To being a volunteer in an international charity, where to be honest, my responsiblities are pretty basic, its mainly just being there with the street kids or victims of abuse. Play games with them, chatting to them, trying to provide a sense of friendship and support.
But it is exactly this transition from top to bottom that has given me some inspiring new opportunitiies and insights into trying to make this world a better place.
It was much more glamorousat a fancy graduation ceremony than it was today at a young child's play centre. However, I have been able to see the real importance of having people working and being commited to work at this 'bottom' level. The street kids I work with are in clear need of that sense of support and understanding in their lives, and it seems that the best way this can be done is simply be being there. It doesn't matter if I got a First Class degree, or that once some time ago I helped to set up an MUN in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It seems that what matters most is that I am there, I am commited, and I care.
About Me
- Simon Walters
- My name is Simon Walters - I work for Casa Alianza Nicaragua. Casa Alianza Nicaragua is a non-profit NGO, working to protect, support and rehabilitate children living on streets, victims of abuse, violence, abandonment, commercial and sexual exploitation and human trafficking. I work as a specialist member of staff, coordinating healthy and sustainable activities for the kids in our protection, and on the international development side of things - working with all the Casa Alianza sites in Latin America. I hold a MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations University for Peace, and a MA in History from the University of Edinburgh. I am very involved in the Model United Nations, and in 2009 served as the Founding Secretary General of Mostar International Model United Nations, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also have experience in English teaching, coaching public speaking and debating, acting and radio presenting.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Saturday, 23 October 2010
After one week......
Here is a brief overview as to some of the things that have stuck with me after my first week working with Casa Alianza Nicaragua.
It is a humbling and inspiring experience working with a group of mothers and their children who are the victims of abuse and exploitation. At the same time, there is nothing more sickening when, after thinking it is really cute that a 5 year old girl knows how to dance regaetton, to find out that child is the victim of human trafficking. I was left with the harrowing question as to whether that child had been taught to dance for the most unspeakable of reasons
To see a 10 year old on the street, with glazed eyes, aged face and a body that he could just about manage haul about is an image I will never forgot
There is something phenomenal about being invited to take part in a dance class with women who are victims of horrific abuses. To have been allowed to enter their world and take part in their activities has meant a great deal to me
To hear a 14 year old boy talk about the future, aware that there might not be that much left of it for him, after his body has been destroyed by drug addiction and alcoholism is something a child should never have to go through.
In one week I have learnt a lot. This can only be a very small overview as to some of the things which have happened and which I have been part of. I hope to keep learning and keep doing all I can to support and help.
It is a humbling and inspiring experience working with a group of mothers and their children who are the victims of abuse and exploitation. At the same time, there is nothing more sickening when, after thinking it is really cute that a 5 year old girl knows how to dance regaetton, to find out that child is the victim of human trafficking. I was left with the harrowing question as to whether that child had been taught to dance for the most unspeakable of reasons
To see a 10 year old on the street, with glazed eyes, aged face and a body that he could just about manage haul about is an image I will never forgot
There is something phenomenal about being invited to take part in a dance class with women who are victims of horrific abuses. To have been allowed to enter their world and take part in their activities has meant a great deal to me
To hear a 14 year old boy talk about the future, aware that there might not be that much left of it for him, after his body has been destroyed by drug addiction and alcoholism is something a child should never have to go through.
In one week I have learnt a lot. This can only be a very small overview as to some of the things which have happened and which I have been part of. I hope to keep learning and keep doing all I can to support and help.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Arrived
You know you are in Nicaragua, when instead of walking through the arrivals terminal to be met by someone waiting to pick you up, you are instead met by a girl who looks about 7 years old, holding out her hand in the hope of receiving a dollar
You know you are in Nicaragua when as driving from the airport in a pick-up style truck, three homeless children jump on the back of the truck at a set of red-lights in the hope of finding something to steal.
You know you are in Nicaragua when driving through Managua you see a city stripped of its pride, by both natural disasters and extreme poverty
You know you are in Nicaragua when you see all this within a few moments of arrival in the country, and already the country is 'under your skin'
I think I am going to love it here but I also have a funny feeling that this country is going to break my heart!
You know you are in Nicaragua when as driving from the airport in a pick-up style truck, three homeless children jump on the back of the truck at a set of red-lights in the hope of finding something to steal.
You know you are in Nicaragua when driving through Managua you see a city stripped of its pride, by both natural disasters and extreme poverty
You know you are in Nicaragua when you see all this within a few moments of arrival in the country, and already the country is 'under your skin'
I think I am going to love it here but I also have a funny feeling that this country is going to break my heart!
Saturday, 9 October 2010
This is it!
With less than 24 hours until I board the plane to make my return to Nicaragua, here is my final update from the UK:
Well the bags are packed, all the details sorted, although the feeling that I am once again to travel and live on the other side of the world, hasn't quite set in.
What's ahead of me I think is going to be the toughest challenge I have undertaken to date, as such, I am both very excited and very nervous.
I am sure that I am going to be exposed to situations that leave me shocked, saddened, frustrated, horrified, perhaps even scared. I just hope I am able to find all of the strength within me to work through the moments when confronted by these emotions, and do what I can to fulfill my aims, and try, where possible, to make a positive difference for the lives of street children.
Its gonna be tough, but I am also sure that the next period of my life is going to be phenomenally rewarding. I am sure I am going to learn a lot from it, especially in terms of the possibilities and set-backs in trying to make this world a better place.
So that's it. I'm off. I don't know how regular my internet access will be, but I will do what I can to keep this blog updated as often as possible, with stories of life working with street children in Managua, Nicaragua.
Thank you to everyone for your support so far,
Hasta pronto,
Much love,
Simon
Well the bags are packed, all the details sorted, although the feeling that I am once again to travel and live on the other side of the world, hasn't quite set in.
What's ahead of me I think is going to be the toughest challenge I have undertaken to date, as such, I am both very excited and very nervous.
I am sure that I am going to be exposed to situations that leave me shocked, saddened, frustrated, horrified, perhaps even scared. I just hope I am able to find all of the strength within me to work through the moments when confronted by these emotions, and do what I can to fulfill my aims, and try, where possible, to make a positive difference for the lives of street children.
Its gonna be tough, but I am also sure that the next period of my life is going to be phenomenally rewarding. I am sure I am going to learn a lot from it, especially in terms of the possibilities and set-backs in trying to make this world a better place.
So that's it. I'm off. I don't know how regular my internet access will be, but I will do what I can to keep this blog updated as often as possible, with stories of life working with street children in Managua, Nicaragua.
Thank you to everyone for your support so far,
Hasta pronto,
Much love,
Simon
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Getting close!
With just over two weeks to go until I head to Nicaragua, its time for another update.
The first thing I want to do, for those of you who are still not sure, is explain exactly why I have made this decision to begin working with street children in this very troubled part of the world.
From a personal perspective, it has always been my intention to work with young people and teenagers, as I have always found them the most inspring group of people in the world. When I travelled around Central America during last year, whilst living in Costa Rica, I saw the appalling situation faced by young people living on the street, as well as the sheer volume of youngsters in this condition. I knew, as I started to piece together my plans for the future, that working to somehow make things a bit better for young people and teenagers forced to live on the harsh streets of Latin America, was exactly what I want to be doing.
Facts and figures
UNICEF estimates there to be at least 100 million street children in the world. At least 40 million of these are thought to be in Latin America. Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and the city where I will be based, has at least 15,000 of these homeless and abandoned children. Most live on rubbish dumps or other of the poorest and most dangerous corners of the city.
Whilst on the streets the children face massive risks to chronic illness, HIV/AIDS infection, victims of violence, drug dependency, and being recruited into prostitution. Around 80% of Nicaragua's street children are estimated to have been forced to turn to prostitution at some point in order to survive.
Casa Alianza
Casa Alianza is one of those organisations that I really do feel, inspires. It works in a number of different ways to help the street children in the countries it works, first and foremost, helping to provide friendship for children where society tends to neglect and marginalise.
Casa also works to give the kids an option of a residential centre, support for young mothers, legal aid, family rehabilitation, and support for street children with HIV/AIDS.
Along with the tremendous day to day work of this organisation, there are two major examples where its work has rightly caught the attention of the world's press.
The first was the work of Casa Alianza which bought the state of Guatemala before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, where the state was found guilty of killing street children by police officers (agents of the state). It was a barbaric practice of 'social cleansing' where street children where killed and tortured as they were seen as disposable citizens. The practice still goes on, but Casa Alianza has bought light on the horrific practice.
The second was the remarkable first ever Street Childrens World Cup, held in South Africa in March 2010. 10 teams of street children from around the world took part. Team Nicaragua was coordinated by Casa Alianza and came third in the competition. The event, which bought street children together, provided friendship, a sense of belonging and identity is a true example of how it is possible to make the world a better place.
And back to me
Ok, so to be honest, I was having doubts. Had I made the right decision? Managua is not a nice place. It is a very poor, unsafe city. Do I really want to be there?
Last night, however, when I attended the opening of an exhibition in London about the Street Childrens World Cup, my doubts were dispelled.
I firstly saw that I am not alone. There is an enormous group of wonderful people who want to make this world a better place for street children. I also saw that with strength, commitment, and passion it is possible to do things that really make a wonderful difference to the lives of these people.
Seeing this has given me a renewed sense of hope and belief in myself. I am ready to go to Managua! I am ready to do what I can, working with Casa Alianza, to make this world a better place for street children!
The first thing I want to do, for those of you who are still not sure, is explain exactly why I have made this decision to begin working with street children in this very troubled part of the world.
From a personal perspective, it has always been my intention to work with young people and teenagers, as I have always found them the most inspring group of people in the world. When I travelled around Central America during last year, whilst living in Costa Rica, I saw the appalling situation faced by young people living on the street, as well as the sheer volume of youngsters in this condition. I knew, as I started to piece together my plans for the future, that working to somehow make things a bit better for young people and teenagers forced to live on the harsh streets of Latin America, was exactly what I want to be doing.
Facts and figures
UNICEF estimates there to be at least 100 million street children in the world. At least 40 million of these are thought to be in Latin America. Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and the city where I will be based, has at least 15,000 of these homeless and abandoned children. Most live on rubbish dumps or other of the poorest and most dangerous corners of the city.
Whilst on the streets the children face massive risks to chronic illness, HIV/AIDS infection, victims of violence, drug dependency, and being recruited into prostitution. Around 80% of Nicaragua's street children are estimated to have been forced to turn to prostitution at some point in order to survive.
Casa Alianza
Casa Alianza is one of those organisations that I really do feel, inspires. It works in a number of different ways to help the street children in the countries it works, first and foremost, helping to provide friendship for children where society tends to neglect and marginalise.
Casa also works to give the kids an option of a residential centre, support for young mothers, legal aid, family rehabilitation, and support for street children with HIV/AIDS.
Along with the tremendous day to day work of this organisation, there are two major examples where its work has rightly caught the attention of the world's press.
The first was the work of Casa Alianza which bought the state of Guatemala before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, where the state was found guilty of killing street children by police officers (agents of the state). It was a barbaric practice of 'social cleansing' where street children where killed and tortured as they were seen as disposable citizens. The practice still goes on, but Casa Alianza has bought light on the horrific practice.
The second was the remarkable first ever Street Childrens World Cup, held in South Africa in March 2010. 10 teams of street children from around the world took part. Team Nicaragua was coordinated by Casa Alianza and came third in the competition. The event, which bought street children together, provided friendship, a sense of belonging and identity is a true example of how it is possible to make the world a better place.
And back to me
Ok, so to be honest, I was having doubts. Had I made the right decision? Managua is not a nice place. It is a very poor, unsafe city. Do I really want to be there?
Last night, however, when I attended the opening of an exhibition in London about the Street Childrens World Cup, my doubts were dispelled.
I firstly saw that I am not alone. There is an enormous group of wonderful people who want to make this world a better place for street children. I also saw that with strength, commitment, and passion it is possible to do things that really make a wonderful difference to the lives of these people.
Seeing this has given me a renewed sense of hope and belief in myself. I am ready to go to Managua! I am ready to do what I can, working with Casa Alianza, to make this world a better place for street children!
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Steps in the Right Direction
So today, 8 years to the day since my Mum passed away, I thought it would be good to give an update on my progress. I often wonder if my Mum would have approved all this moving around the world, experiencing new things and hoping to make a difference. The truth is I know she would have been worried about me, especially if she had known I rode around on a motorbike in Vietnam, or spent a month in Guatemala City talking to street children and gang members to research my Thesis. But I hope she is proud of my commitment to try and do good things in the world, and to know that I am never truly happy unless I know I am doing all that I can. I am still exceptionally grateful to my Dad, who I know worries about me as well, but has always given me his utmost support for the direction I have chosen to lead my life.
Progress has been good and I am now a month and 10 days away from leaving for Nicaragua (I fly on October 10). I currently have a part time job at Purley Language School, which, by coincidence, is the same school my Mum taught at in the 1980s. I have also made an appearance in the Caterham Independent, and you can see the article here - http://www.caterham-independent.co.uk/latest-news/574-local-man-helps-nicaraguas-street-children-
Everybody has been really helpful and supportive of the work I am hoping to do, and I am extremely grateful of all this support. I still need to get sponsorship, and I am hoping soon that my efforts on this front will bear fruit.
Well I think that it is it for now. At 6pm today I will light a candle to remember my Mum. In my prayers I will thank her for giving me the strength and commitment to do all that I can to try, in someway, to help make this world a better place.
Progress has been good and I am now a month and 10 days away from leaving for Nicaragua (I fly on October 10). I currently have a part time job at Purley Language School, which, by coincidence, is the same school my Mum taught at in the 1980s. I have also made an appearance in the Caterham Independent, and you can see the article here - http://www.caterham-independent.co.uk/latest-news/574-local-man-helps-nicaraguas-street-children-
Everybody has been really helpful and supportive of the work I am hoping to do, and I am extremely grateful of all this support. I still need to get sponsorship, and I am hoping soon that my efforts on this front will bear fruit.
Well I think that it is it for now. At 6pm today I will light a candle to remember my Mum. In my prayers I will thank her for giving me the strength and commitment to do all that I can to try, in someway, to help make this world a better place.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Preparing for the future
I am starting this blog, as I hope it to be my official diary for everyone interested whilst I head to Central America, where I will be working with the organisation Casa Alianza, working with street children in Nicaragua.
I will keep this blog for al those interested in following my work and especially for those who are equally working in development or human rights.
I will leave this is as a little introduction for the time being, and more information will appear on this site as I prepare to head off in October.
For the time being, seeing as I will be working as a volunteer, I'm dong what I can to raise money and gather funds whilst I am away. Anybody who thinks they might be interested in sponsoring me for this type of work, or helping me raise publicity, your support will be greatly appreciated.
In the mean time, please let me know if you would like more info about the work I will be doing. I would love to be able to promote my work and the work of Casa Alianza in my local community, and anybody who wants to help me do this, would be great to have your help!
More updates willl follow,
Simon
I will keep this blog for al those interested in following my work and especially for those who are equally working in development or human rights.
I will leave this is as a little introduction for the time being, and more information will appear on this site as I prepare to head off in October.
For the time being, seeing as I will be working as a volunteer, I'm dong what I can to raise money and gather funds whilst I am away. Anybody who thinks they might be interested in sponsoring me for this type of work, or helping me raise publicity, your support will be greatly appreciated.
In the mean time, please let me know if you would like more info about the work I will be doing. I would love to be able to promote my work and the work of Casa Alianza in my local community, and anybody who wants to help me do this, would be great to have your help!
More updates willl follow,
Simon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)