The Preample

It's November 2020, we have just gone into a second lockdown and I notice an advert from a friend on Facebook that YoCO (Youth Challenge Oxfordshire) are looking for Youth Leaders for the 2021 Berinsfield Contingent Youth Challenge where you work with a group of young people aged 14 to 18 and help them fundraise for a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to Kenya. 18 months of workshops, fundraising, camping prep, expeditions and hard work to eventually spend 10 days in Kenya helping build housing and facilities and to understand how the organisation and supporting charity Nasio Trust. 

I have supported The Nasio Trust for a number of years and have attended many fundraising events including a delicious Curry Night and a firewalk which was so much fun. Nasio is a charity that has positivity at its heart and that is something I can get behind. 

I went for an interview a few weeks later and met 2 of the Trustees for Nasio and a Rep from YoCO. I was asked some rather probing questions and given scenarios that might happen and asked how I would handle them. I was so nervous beforehand as it felt like a job interview but I answered truthfully and honestly leaving no question in my mind that I did the best I could. 

On Monday 14th December an envelope arrived that said I had been selected to be the Youth Leader for Berinsfield and I cried. Recruitment for young people is underway, first meeting is the 6th January 2021 and then 18 months of work starts. I am under no illusion that this is gonna be easy, but if there is one thing I don't shy away from is hard work. 

So, this blog is to follow the journey from selection to fundraising to expeditions and finally Kenya. To give you an insight on what happens in the preparation. Because at the end of the day, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am going to make the most of it. 

I hope you can join along with me.