Returned action at home in the UK

Completing some form of action at home in the UK is an essential part of the International Citizen Service Scheme. This action is in order to raise awareness of the voluntary work completed abroad as well to promote the scheme and encourage other young people to take part.

I wrote a press release which was published in the local paper "The Advertiser". I sent in a photo, showing our Bolivian students and I at their graduation ceremony. I was very excited to see the article in the paper, only to see that unfortunately they had completely edited me out of the photo (my shoulder, left leg and foot appear on the left-hand side of the photo)!!

I was also invited to give a presentation at the Hitchin Priory Rotary club, who kindly donated money towards my fundraising target of £800. The evening went well, involving a 3 course meal and then a half an hour presentation by me, followed by questions. I received a lot of questions from everyone, demonstrating their genuine interest in Bolivia and the work I completed for Up Close Bolivia.

I loved telling them about my experience and spoke very enthusiastically about teaching English to such a wonderful group of people and of the inspiring people I met in the communities of Jupapina and Mallasa. It really brought all the memories back, giving me such a warm, happy feeling for having had the chance to be part of something so special, and welcomed in to such a loving family and community.