December 2012-My first time in Scotland
Almost a year ago I visited Scotland for the first time. I had been invited for an interview with TCV and I couldn’t miss that amazing opportunity. So without thinking it twice, I booked a flight and arrived in Stirling at about four in the afternoon on a December day. I couldn’t believe how dark it was and, could it get colder than that? I remember my lips turned into a purplish color after my first walk around the city trying to enjoy the Christmas lights…Anyway, after experiencing that freezing wind on my face, one of the things that came to my mind was: are people really willing to participate in outdoor activities with this weather? The answer is YES, and I truly admire that.
Once I learnt two key lessons (if you ever have any doubt about wearing another layer…you need one more! and waterproofs & wellies are now an essential part of your wardrobe), I was ready to enjoy the Scottish outdoors! And so I’ve done.
During the past few weeks I have been participating in the Discover Me project with Anna Hamilton (Volunteer Development Officer, TCV) and Julie Grant (Education Development Officer, TCV) in Glasgow. The project aims to increase families’ contact with nature through their participation in outdoor play sessions. Anna and Julie have great experience delivering similar sessions with kids and I am learning loads from them. I am also doing my bit to help with the project by carrying out the evaluation part of it. I have been asking the children about their favorites games and Foxes & Hares (or Foxes, Hares and Power Rangers!, as one of the nursery kids likes to call it), the Squirrel Game (hiding an acorn and finding it at the end of the session) and collecting leaves to create different pictures seem to be the most successful ones.
Rowena Nursery-Rainbow
Rowena Nursery-Evaluation
I have also been contacting organizations that work with minority ethnic groups in Glasgow so that we know how we can make it accessible for them to participate in outdoor activities. I have had some interesting responses so far and I am really enjoying meeting up with people, listening to their ideas and even trying other countries’ food every now and then. Is there a better way to share things about your culture? 🙂
I couldn’t finish this blog without talking about the great weekend I had.
I attended my first ceilidh on Friday and I just loved it! So after learning a little bit more about Scottish’s culture (and thinking I wouldn’t be able to move again with all that “spin your partner!”), I thought I should end the weekend doing my bit for conservation. I joined the Natural Flood Management Apprentice (Lawrence Belleni) and some volunteers to plant over 100 trees at Craigton Farm. The aim is to minimize flood risk in the area as well as increasing biodiversity. It was great to share a day out with other volunteers: we are already thinking about going back to the site in a few years time to check how the trees are doing!
Tree planting at Craigton Farm