Aberdeen St Fittick and Sierra Leone

Left to right: Alastair Brodie, Sandy Lindsay, Alastair Robertson, Sheena Anderson,
Alan Millar, Kirsty Anderson , and Jack Campbell

Previous visitors to this site may recall the story of our links with Sierra Leone and in particular with the Lumley Children’s Orphanage in Freetown, the Club’s principal International Project in 2006. Building on these links, February 2007 saw the departure from Aberdeen for Sierra Leone of our Senior Vice-President Sheena Anderson, International Convener Alastair Brodie and Past Presidents Jack Campbell and Alastair Robertson, accompanied by Sheena’s daughter Kirsty, Alan Millar who is a teacher at Torry Academy and Sandy Lindsay who is a school technician at Mackie Academy, Stonehaven. They are pictured above at a Club meeting when they each delivered an account of the visit. The purpose of this visit was threefold, firstly to foster the link with the Orphanage by painting the buildings (assisted by the children) and here they are all hard at work.

The outside was grubby and the rooms inside showed the kind of wear and tear you would expect from 25 boisterous kids, but both have now been transformed by their efforts. Secondly it was to attempt to set up a twinning arrangement between local schools here in Aberdeenshire and those around Freetown, and thirdly to assess the possibility of setting up an agricultural co-operative With the first and second of these aims very successfully achieved, the third is still very much in consideration, along with several other avenues still to be explored as additional future projects. In their presentation to the Club it was obvious that all of the team had been emotionally moved by their experience of life in this so deprived part of the planet, and the depth and sincerity of their feelings was very apparent to their audience. There are obviously opportunities galore here for Rotary to live up to its aims, and St. Fittick’s commitment in this respect should see much further development of the relationships and friendships already built up. So watch this space! Here are some pictures giving a flavour of the visit by the self-styled “Magnificent Seven”, a well-earned soubriquet. First, the dangers of standing too close to the painting - look what happened to Ishmael!

Thus necessitating a visit to the laundry -

All in all this project was a tremendous success, providing both fun for the children – and adults, and a rewarding experience for all concerned. As for the Magnificent Seven, they still meet up to discuss and formulate plans for all the projects in progress and still to come. All strength to their efforts.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire

The Rotary Club of Aberdeen St Fittick joined with Aberdeen Foyer, who are a franchise partner for The Prince’s Trust, to deliver Princes Trust Team 17 from inception to completion. From a start on 30th January, the Community and Personal Development Project came to a conclusion on 20th April when Team Members presented their Project to a mixed gathering of public, family, friends, people met throughout the programme, Prince’s Trust Board Members, and Rotarians, that included the Lord and Lady Provost, in the historic setting of the Town and County Hall at Aberdeen Town House. Pictured above is President James Robertson handing over the sponsorship cheque to Kathleen Singer, Foyer Prince’s Trust Team Leader. Looking on from left to right are David Whyte, Natalie Stewart, Frazer Woodward (Team 17 members), and Committee Convenor Rtn. Ian McLean.

In front of 100 guests, the summary of experiences and achievements took the form of Chris Tarrant’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” Game Show with questions and answers that led the audience through the Team 17 Project. On completion the Lord Provost presented Team members with their certificates for completion of the 12 week Project. A further presentation was given by the Team at a Club Meeting on 10 May. Humour and fun, an essential part of Projects, was portrayed in questions such as “who sponsored the event?” Participants deliberately gave the impression that they struggled with this question. It required a fifty fifty choice. The two remaining answers were Aberdeen Football Club and St Fittick Rotary Club. This required to be referred to the audience. With a chuckle, “fortunately,” Club members were able to guide participants to the right answer. The Team went on to win £1M.

Team members for Aberdeen Team 17 were from a variety of sources including, Careers Scotland and Social Work Departments in Aberdeen, Ellon. New Deal participants were referred through Job Centre Plus. Referrals also came through Aberdeen Foyer from tenants and via programmes run by Aberdeen Foyer, such as Gateway to Work. Twelve youngsters, aged between 16 and 25, completed a 12 week personal development programme aimed at enabling them to develop their confidence, motivation, self esteem and skills. It was an action packed programme of challenging projects and teamwork commencing with getting to know your colleagues, followed by building an “egg rocket” communication and teamworking exercise. Drug awareness featured in a general Health and Safety workshop. Risk Assessments were completed for all stages of the 12 week programme. Following planning a schedule of Healthy Menus and associated shopping list, a residential week was spent at an outdoor Centre near Aviemore. Specially trained Instructors encouraged teambuilding through activities that included; Night Walk, Abseiling/Rock climbing, Hill Walking, Orienteering and Problem Solving. The team enjoyed these activities immensely. Feedback and individual presentations were given on the final night. Team members then carried out a Work Placement Week at various volunteer firms/establishments in Aberdeen chosen as areas of individual member’s interest. Next in the development programme was career guidance and job seeking training to enhance employability. Application forms were completed. Rtns. Dorinda Adam and Sean Reddy advised individuals and carried out a series of mock job interviews. In addition, this had the benefit of showing the human face of Rotary to young people who were pleased to appreciate the Service aspect of our Organisation. CV’s were completed in the Foyer IT Suite and individuals started to complete actual job applications. To encourage ownership, Team members had earlier located and raised funds for their Community Projects. Fund raising was carried out bag packing at M&S and a sponsored ski. Following a number of small projects the main one that featured in and around Inchgarth Community Centre, Garthdee, Aberdeen was planned. It comprised the completion following extensive renovations to the Centre. Convener Rtn. Ian Mclean was thanked for orchestrating all matters on behalf of the Club. B & Q gifted paint. Ian commented that being allowed to share in getting covered in paint apparently endeared him to the Team. Team members were thanked on completion and the Centre was opened to the public.

In conclusion, the Prince’s Trust Programme is clearly of great benefit to those who participate in it. The team members were assessed throughout for their core skill ability. Team members all took advantage of the course to develop team working, communication, problem solving, tolerance, and leadership, caring for others, motivation and taking responsibility. The development of Team member’s self-esteem and motivation is difficult to quantify, but is most certainly evident at the end of the programme. Team members all remarked on the sense of achievement they felt at being able to put something back into the Community. It is hoped that, once verified, Team members will all gain their SQA qualifications in Communication and Social Awareness & Development. The members of Aberdeen Team 17 will hopefully look back on the Prince’s Trust Team programme, as being a most positive experience. We wish these youngsters well in the future.