New Stars Shine

On March 16th 2017, a collective of intelligent, passionate young people came together in support of Youth Stop Aids. Youth Stop Aids is a movement campaigning to end AIDS by 2030. As a brilliant man once put: 'In the face of the grave threat posed by HIV/AIDS, we have to rise above our differences and combine our efforts to save our people. History will judge us harshly if we fail to do so now, and right now' - Nelson Mandela (International AIDS conference, 2000) With DFID Minister. 17 years on, and we are still campaigning, still raising awareness and still reducing the stigmas around HIV/AIDS. New infections fell by 38% and we are no longer referring to HIV/AIDS as a death sentence.   I ventured to London on the 16th March, arriving fairly early on a sunny London morning I was greeted by a sea of volunteers, we each shared our stories on why we were here and why we think it was important. The campaign this particular day was called, 'It Ai...

Second to last day here, at one of the greatest places in the world. Every morning I am greeted by a sea of incredible people. I have been here such a short time, but the people here have shown me what I needed. They showed me there is a possibility to change this world. ' The world is fucked, but it doesn't mean we have to be' (Chanelle Manton, first time volunteer, lifetime of change) Last night got pretty emotional for my collegue and I. We hit that pivotical moment of realisation, that the work we do helps, and little by little, step by step, volunteer by volunteer, we can create a following of people that believe in change, believe in better, and together we can achieve so much. Without belief we are just another man in a bucket of millions, working, eating, dying. Organising the kitchen distribution. Today was another day of work, we organised shelves for quick access distribution, and reorganised the overflow warehouse ready for the shipment ...

Hello everyone! Air strikes in Syria. I hope all is well with you all and are diving into the festive spirit, before I begin with my blog post this week, I wanted to mention something that cannot be ignored; the air strike plans on Syria. I hope you can agree with me saying that David Cameron, for those who don't know is our UK Priminister, gave the go ahead on us to start bombing Syria, so joining in on what have killed so many. Despite the fact that weeks earlier the same man discussed how bombing Syria would only 'increase terrorism'. So this is ridiculous! I am sure you can agree, this is clearly a bad idea, a horrific idea. We have already spent so much time and money investing in the refugees to come to the UK, to help them, and what do we do to help more? Just go ahead and bomb the place. It's disgusting. Some days I wish I had my say in parliament, or more so, I wish young people did. We are the forefront to the future so why are we letting upper class sno...

When I joined ICS last June I never thought how far it could take me. I assumed 3 months in Africa would be a chance to volunteer and really help those in need. However it was so much more than that, which you know from my previous blogs. However- What have I learnt? A little girl in Zambia when she found a pair of shoes! I have learnt to accept myself, I may not be skinny, I may not have the perfect complexion, I haven't even got good fashion sense or home style! Yet I am happy with my morals. I know now that my life, a life, is incredibly valuable. And you only have 1, so why not make the most out of it? I'm Okay! An underfed dog roaming the pits of Keembe, Zambia  Compared to the lives of people, who struggle to get water, or have to sacrifice an education to help their families. People that don't have a choice in their life, whether that's with their sexuality, or who they marry! My decisions I can make myself, and whilst I was in Zambia I realised j...

Few bits I took back from Zambia! As you know by now, I spent three months in Zambia. However I wish that someone gave me a packing list before I went, 50% of what I took I didn't need! So to save you the expenses I thought I would give you an insight on what is useful and what isn't! Useful pills: Ibuprofen, paracetamol, dioralyte, purification tablets and Tums!  First things first, stock up on pills! 1. Paracetamol And Ibuprofen (2 packs of each) 2. Tums! For those awkward foreign food moments! 3. Dioralyte! Needed for hot long days in the sun, buy the powder and the drink for both situations! 4. Purification Tablets-perfect for drinks but I suggest bringing some concentrated squash considering the tablets taste like dirt! 5. Don't forget your malaria tablets! Make sure you check, double check and triple check you have all of them! 6. Not necessary but it definitely helped me out! A pill box is handy to keep on track with the malari...

The most beautiful smile of them all from a five year old with nothing. I am only 19 bear in mind. NINETEEN! Yet anyone who has been in a rural tribal village for 12 weeks can agree that their lives change in enormous ways. Before August I spent two years at college studying English and Performing Arts, a LOT of fun but I never felt it was for me. I also spent three years in my free time volunteering for the National Citizen Service, I learnt so many skills and met so many fantastic people I knew that helping people was my choice. So I took the challenge and spent three months in Africa. A stunning sunset It was incredible. Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of children singing their ABC, looking out at the fantastic sunrise and knowing that every single waking moment you are trying your very hardest to do good for the community. Every morning it was a quick trip to the water pump just so you can bath, drink and eat. It sounds difficult and displeasing, it was when...

Everyone should begin a blog with a beauts British sunset. I am one of those people who decide they need to start a blog, then don't for months. However it has finally come to a stage in my life, as everyone faces, where you have finished school, don't know where to go next, have a part time job and totally confused at where your life is heading. There is nothing better than sitting on your bed in the early hours and deciding this will be a safe haven to write; about home, life, travel, hopes, ambitions and everything in between. The whole group at NCS in July 2012. I love my life, and dislike it. 3 years ago my life began to change, I went from being a lonely bullied kid with no real dreams, to a woman with ambition! And since that point my life has been a total whirlwind. It all started in the summer of 2012, when I decided to sign up for NCS, the National Citizen Service, for those who don't know, this was a 3 week programme designed by the government t...