Summer Trip to Wales 2010

31 October 2011

We had the privilege of taking eight of our young people to North Wales for three nights of holiday fun over August. We all got packed up and headed off on a Monday lunchtime on a miserable and rainy Loughborough August day very much hoping for better weather to come. Thankfully we weren't dissppointed and our trip was filled with a range of outdoor fun in the sun!

Our young people were amazed by the diversity of the North Wales countryside - the range of mountains in Snowdonia, forest around Betws-y-Coed and the sea fronts and dunes found at Llandudno and Rhosneigr. We also had some great times eating food together, playing games and bouncing around to different types of international music in the mini-bus.

On our first full day we ventured out for a game of paint-balling. Our young guys were having so much fun in commando outfits running around the woods close to Llandudno. We spent several hours walking up and down the beach front and onto the pier in the glorious sunshine. For some it was their first experience of the seaside or a pier and it was one that they relished.

Evenings on the holiday were always filled with activity. Cooking for twelve of us was no small task especially given the appetites of these young people who were fasting during the daytime in observing Ramadan. Two of them did a great job on the second night gathering a team of willing friends to help them prepare a superb traditional Afghan meal for all of us. This set us in good stead for a long day of exertion on the next day as we tackled Snowdonia...

It was an amazing experience hearing the reactions of our young people as we drove on the way to Snowden the next day. We drove through the forest hilly area of Bets-y-Coed and then out onto the main range of Snowdonia - sounds and gasps of amazement filled the minibus and you could sense the excitement of them being in the midst of such awesome sights. Their delight continued as we walked around the base of Snowden for a few hours. Constantly taking photo's, running and jumping the guys had a fantastic time in the sunshine viewing some spectacular scenery. I think this was the highlight for many. Later in the afternoon we headed off to Rhosneigr beach to enjoy the sun setting, a game of football and a brilliant group photo.

Our final day saw us stop off at Conwy Falls in Betws-y-Coed for another photo oppotunity and some great vieiwng points over this thundering waterfall. The sound was deafening and it rounded off a number of spectacular natural sites we had been able to visit. I think the words of one of our young guys who was riding in the front of the mini-bus on the way to North Wales sum up the trip very well and the impact it hopefully had on many of the guys, who for some had their very first holiday; 'This is going to be a good trip, I am going to remember this holiday for the rest of my life.' 

Brazil's National Football Team in Derby

8 December 2010

Brazil vs Ukraine

Monday 11th October 2010 - Kick Off 7.30pm

Late on a Friday afternoon on 8th October one of our young people came into the office with his friend equipped with very little English having only arrived in the UK two weeks before saying what sounded like, 'Brazil, Ookra, Derby football, Manday.'

After a quick internet search we found out that the Brazilian national football team (and the Ukrainian national team) were playing an international friendly in England, in Derby no less, at the Pride Park stadium on the following Monday evening! After overcoming our disbelief that this was actually happening the news was sent out to some of our young people, tickets were booked, travel arrangements were made and we were off to watch the legendary boys from Brazil against the relatively unknown but talented side of Ukraine.

Four of our five young people on the train had never been to see a live football match in a stadium and were very excited about this opportunity. As we approached Pride Park on the night with the stadium illuminated in the night sky, the scene was set for a momentous occasion. Excitement grew as we approached the electrifying atmosphere outside the stadium with the sound of the Samba boys playing their drums and the sights of capoeira martial artists and football fans dancing in the sea of green and yellow Brazilian shirts and national flags.

After taking a number of photo's outside we took our seats inside the stadium. it was not long before the team came out for their pre-match warm ups. Close to us were the Brazilians - Robinho, Pato, Alves - much to the jubilation of one of our young people who was keen to get close up snaps of these football greats.

It was a cold night but thankfully we were close to the Brazilian fans with their drums and flags who created an atmosphere of fun and celebration to keep us moving or at the very least distracted from the biting cold.

The noise levels went through the roof as the Brazilians scored a thundering goal half way through the first half with Dani Alves netting a great  shot much to the delight of the majority of the fans in stadium. The boys from Brazil were dominating most of the play with their attacking style and went in at half time 1-0 up. The second half continued in the same vein - Ukraine had some good attacks and defended valiantly against the attacking onslaught of the Brazilians. The inevitable second goal came on the 64th minute as Pato slotted in from close range at out end of the ground and the Samba boys were again beating their drums and dancing away.

In the end the game finished 2-0 to Brazil. Our young people had a great time cheering on the sides, shouting out chants, taking photos and having some good fun in the group.