Hello.
As mentioned previously, I have many things to write about, and also am expecting not to find much time in which to write over the next month. As a result, I've been (sort of) organised, and made a list of posts that I think I need to write today. There are 4 of them. This is number one.
Centenary Fund!
I realised that I never put some very exciting news in this blog, which I really should have done.
Before coming to Sangam, I applied to GirlGuiding UK's Centenary Fund. This is a pool of money that is in place to make the dreams of girls and young women come true. Throughout the centenary celebration (which for WAGGGS lasts 3 years), the fund has set a number of different priorities, and when I applied, they were particularly interested in applications from people who wanted to visit a World Centre - bingo. Now some people may argue that this dream wasn't so unique for me because I'd already been to India. But to be able to work at a World Centre was something totally new, and I certainly never thought I'd ever even have the opportunity, let alone be selected for a position. And my personal money situation wasn't great. Even though WAGGGS pay some money towards flights and I get a small stipend every month here, I was going to make a loss, and wasn't sure where the money was going to come from. So I applied to the fund, and crossed my fingers.
I admit that I gave up on ever getting an answer. I'd not even received any notification that my application had been received, and was a little disgruntled. I'd been talking to Net about it, and then just a couple of days later, I got an email from Ruth - the Brown Owl I work with in Birmingham - to say that she'd received a cheque for me for £300! WOO! I am very pleased and grateful. This money covered the remainder of my flight, plus insurance and injections. So it cost me nothing to get here. Amazing. The requirement is that I fill in a response form within 12months of the project being completed. There is only one question on the form, and it is "what difference has receiving this grant made to you?". In financial terms, this is easy to answer. In terms of the experience it's allowed me to have, then it's not so easy. The SV experience has certainly led to many changes already; in the way I speak, think and act, in my confidence, my skills and abilities; so many things. But how I write this in answer to this question I'm not yet sure. I mentioned it to Jen a while ago and she suggested I focus on one element that's been significant - perhaps my work on the Stop the Violence project, for example. That's certainly a possibility. I'll think on it. But I can guarantee the people behind the fund that their money has certainly been appreciated and without doubt has had a huge impact on my life.
I'd like to tag on the end of this a little thought about my Queen's Guide Award. I have been worried that there's so much to do towards this when I get home that maybe I'll fail in the attempt. Now I feel more confident about it, and also have so many ideas about what I might like to do for my community project. I'm excited to try and put some plans together. Em is also just getting started on hers, so we're thinking we might have a little QG planning session together sometime.
That's all for update 1. I really do intend to complete the other 3 tonight, but right now I have to go downstairs as it's the first night of Hanukkah, and so Jessica is making Latkes (potato pancakes as I understand it), lighting the Menorrah for which I bought candles today, and playing Draidel. Exciting stuff that I want to be a part of. So...
TTFN
As mentioned previously, I have many things to write about, and also am expecting not to find much time in which to write over the next month. As a result, I've been (sort of) organised, and made a list of posts that I think I need to write today. There are 4 of them. This is number one.
Centenary Fund!
I realised that I never put some very exciting news in this blog, which I really should have done.
Before coming to Sangam, I applied to GirlGuiding UK's Centenary Fund. This is a pool of money that is in place to make the dreams of girls and young women come true. Throughout the centenary celebration (which for WAGGGS lasts 3 years), the fund has set a number of different priorities, and when I applied, they were particularly interested in applications from people who wanted to visit a World Centre - bingo. Now some people may argue that this dream wasn't so unique for me because I'd already been to India. But to be able to work at a World Centre was something totally new, and I certainly never thought I'd ever even have the opportunity, let alone be selected for a position. And my personal money situation wasn't great. Even though WAGGGS pay some money towards flights and I get a small stipend every month here, I was going to make a loss, and wasn't sure where the money was going to come from. So I applied to the fund, and crossed my fingers.
I admit that I gave up on ever getting an answer. I'd not even received any notification that my application had been received, and was a little disgruntled. I'd been talking to Net about it, and then just a couple of days later, I got an email from Ruth - the Brown Owl I work with in Birmingham - to say that she'd received a cheque for me for £300! WOO! I am very pleased and grateful. This money covered the remainder of my flight, plus insurance and injections. So it cost me nothing to get here. Amazing. The requirement is that I fill in a response form within 12months of the project being completed. There is only one question on the form, and it is "what difference has receiving this grant made to you?". In financial terms, this is easy to answer. In terms of the experience it's allowed me to have, then it's not so easy. The SV experience has certainly led to many changes already; in the way I speak, think and act, in my confidence, my skills and abilities; so many things. But how I write this in answer to this question I'm not yet sure. I mentioned it to Jen a while ago and she suggested I focus on one element that's been significant - perhaps my work on the Stop the Violence project, for example. That's certainly a possibility. I'll think on it. But I can guarantee the people behind the fund that their money has certainly been appreciated and without doubt has had a huge impact on my life.
I'd like to tag on the end of this a little thought about my Queen's Guide Award. I have been worried that there's so much to do towards this when I get home that maybe I'll fail in the attempt. Now I feel more confident about it, and also have so many ideas about what I might like to do for my community project. I'm excited to try and put some plans together. Em is also just getting started on hers, so we're thinking we might have a little QG planning session together sometime.
That's all for update 1. I really do intend to complete the other 3 tonight, but right now I have to go downstairs as it's the first night of Hanukkah, and so Jessica is making Latkes (potato pancakes as I understand it), lighting the Menorrah for which I bought candles today, and playing Draidel. Exciting stuff that I want to be a part of. So...
TTFN
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