Hi everyone,
Sorry I have been quiet for a long time, I have been in the USA for the past 3 months as part of the Rank Memorial Award, researching and working with a non-profit organisation, Mercy Ministries, that works with young women with life-controlling disorders.
My passion in life is for working with teenage girls and young women, particularly those who have low self-esteem and are at risk for making ‘risky life choices’ or developing ‘life controlling disorders’. Just before leaving to go on the GSE trip (in fact the day before we flew) I had my interview for the Rank Award and was offered a grant to gain experience and research this field of work. Through the GSE I further developed my passion for this area, as I got to experience various youth projects, some that specialised in working with young women, and was able to share this passion during our presentations. The experience I gained during the GSE showed me the global nature of the issues faced by young women and inspired me even more to want to do something to help make a difference.
On 8th September, I flew out to Nashville, Tennessee in the USA to begin the Rank Award. For 3 months I volunteered with Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries is a free-of-charge, voluntary, faith-based residential programme, which serves young women from all socio-economic backgrounds, ages 13-28, who face a combination of life-controlling issues, such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, depression and unplanned pregnancy. Mercy also serves young women who have been physically and sexually abused, including victims of sex trafficking. I was able to meet some of the young women in the programme, as well as hear first-hand stories from many graduates of the programme - it was amazing to see how their lives had been transformed and how they were now healthy, confident young women making a valuable contribution to their world and often giving back to other young women who also need help. I am so excited to see how I will use what I learned during my time there, during the GSE experience and during the second part of the Rank Award (I fly to South Africa for 3 months on 18th January to work with another project out there) in the future to improve the lives of young women.
Whilst in Nashville I had the opportunity to visit the Rotary Club of Nashville with one of my colleagues. It was great to get to see another club on another continent and how Rotary works there. I met some amazing people and shared with them what I am doing. I also introduced one of my colleagues at the ministry to Rotary and she now is planning to join Rotary as well!!
I feel like I am on the adventure of my life right now and I am just so incredibly blessed. Thank you so much to Mendip and Woodspring Rotary Clubs for your continued support, I am so honoured to be linked with you. Thank you to my wonderful GSE team for all of your support and for holding up my part in the presentations as well as your own whilst I've been away, and thank you to Rotary International for the amazing opportunity that you gave us (it has impacted me in so many ways!!).
I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2013 is an awesome year of adventure for you too!! I will keep in touch about the next part of my adventure.
God Bless
Adele x
