Youth work students in The Reco

On Wednesday 27th January, some students of youth work from the university came to visit our facility. They made a tour around the building while the Reco, the organisation and the work we do there was explained to them.

After the tour, we went up to the meeting room, where one worker of each area explained them which kind of work they use to do. One worker explained them about the youthworkers, another one about the Outreach team, and finally, we explained them a little bit about the volunteers and the European Volunteer Service. It was late and I was the last to speak, so I couldn't speak too much time because the time. However, I just tried to give them an idea about what the European Volunteer Service is and remind them that it's a great oportunitty they can take. I tried to emphasize that that experience is being for me a way to learn about lots of topics, for example: the particularities of the youth work in Ireland, the main issues they have to live with in here, the strategies they use to use, etc. It was great because while they spoke with the students I could understend a little bit more about BRYR, the teams, and little things that I didn't know. I liked listen the workers talking about their work and the reasons why it is how it is.

Before the meeting, when I thought what I could explain them to resume my work and my experience here I realised one of the things why I'm here and I try to make understand being here:

Remind that there are lots of cultures, countries and as ways to think as persons in the planet, that the opportunities doesn't finish in your area, city or country, and that the young people have the chance to take this opportunities (the EVS is just one example of these oportunities).

Horse riding

One of the activities that I use to get involved in is the Horse riding. In the genearl week timetable of The Reco there are lots of activities to do, one of them the Horseriding. It use to runs one or two days per week, from 4:30 to 6:30. The young people who wants to participate in it just have to fill in the form some days before and pay a symbolic price. The van of The Reco pick the young people up from The Reco and bring them to the Equestrian Centre. One or two youth workers and a volunteer go with them.

Once in there, there is a horse coach who lead the sesion and try to train the young people to make the activity properly. The young people who do this activity love it. They learn how to treat with the horse, which movements they need to do with no pain for the horse, etc... One of the most important things they learn in there is how important is the concentration when you are on a horse. There is also an important aspect about the intuition sense you need to develope to feel that you and the horse are togheter and you are like a team!

The Irish President Mc Alisee visit the Reco

The 14th of January the President of Irelend, McAleese and the Lordmeyer of Dublin visited us and The Reco to open the facility up, it was the Official Reco Opening. It was a great experience. I had the chance to see the President and the Lordmeyer. However, I think I lived that experience different than the Irish workers. I mean, as I didn't know even never seen the President I didn't know what it would be like. However, I was looking forward to see her.

Before her arriving I learnt some things about the government structure in Ireland. I learnt, for example, that the President here is only a diplomatic figure who is elected by the party who win the elections. She or he isn't part of any political party. The Lordmeyer is elected every year and she or he isn't neither part of any party. They are important figures as they represent the country or the city but the Prime Minister is who has more power in the government and the political decisions. 

The visit was prepared in detail. First of all, when the President arrived, she made a tour around the different rooms and spaces of the Reco visiting some youthworkers and leaders and also some young people who show her what they use to do in The Reco. After the tour, she arrived in the hall, a big space, where some people, workers, young people, volunteers, etc. were waitng for her. She gave us a speech and talked about the importance of this young facility and, mainly, she told about the main actors and the main reason of this space: The young people. Finally she made the Official Opening.

I was really surprised about the President. She was a kind person, she told with some young people, spoke like a normal person and I felt her like not a very distant person. The Lordmeyer didn't say anything.

Finally we could enjoy a really good dishes prepared by the chefs of the Reco Restaurant.

I finished that event thinking how important is The Reco, how much value the work we are doing have, that we had the recognition of the President. Always it's pleasant that a city, a personality, appreciate what are you doing for the community.