"Belfast? What do Serve do up there?''
The question on the lips of almost everyone that glances at the list of places in which Serve do their work.
Granted it's had more than its fair share of devastating trouble in the past but it's not exactly the "3rd World'' in most collective understanding.
As I had never been to Belfast before and didn't know what to expect of the Outreach, my opportunity to embrace the short but certain to be memorable stint in the city was made all the more enticing.
The weekend prior to the Outreach itself served as an induction, with the assembly and introduction of the volunteers involved, as well as our division into teams and a general briefing on the goals and warning of the possible demands of the forthcoming week. Time of course was set aside for the requisite developmental "ice breakers'' that would prove integral to the weekend and indeed the entire project throughout the week. This took place (as would all our orientation/reflection) in the Youth Ministry of the Clonard Monastery. On the Saturday afternoon we distributed flyers in the locality informing the residents of what the Outreach would be offering over the coming week (Some of whom knew considerably more about it than I did).
After a delightful (but of course necessary) bond forming weekend and daily morning gathering we stepped onto the surrounding streets of inner city West Belfast with a licence to entertain.
It quicklybecame clear to me that we were held in high regard due to the noticeable excitement of the area's young inhabitant's upon our arrival. We almost immediately became acquainted with the playfulness that met us. This enthusiasm wouldn’t wane in the slightest throughout the day (or the week for that matter).
There were 4 groups, and each one was designated a particular area in which to do a serviceable clean up of any litter followed (and trumped) by an engaging an inclusive game or activity to occupy and involve the kid's of the neighbourhood. Prior to our daily venture onto the streets we equipped ourselves with a range of sports orientated items from footballs, tennis balls and rackets to skipping ropes, hula hoops and chalk.
With the emphasis on practicality and inclusion we made a conscious effort to satisfy all of the suggestions made to us even if it meant splitting the team’s up into smaller groups. The organisation of the games was always easier than the refereeing of them but as would be expected some of the more priceless moments came from times when blatant disregard for or total confusion of the basic rules of the activities was clear to be seen.
Our afternoons typically consisted of this enjoyable and proactive interaction with the youngsters who’s attention and enthusiasm were as rewarding for us as being victorious in one of the (occasionally deceptively competitive) games we played was for them (and admittedly maybe evenfor some of us). This quite simply was all about getting out there and just having fun with the kid’s and teenagers in an encouraging but flexible manner.
We also used our afternoons to advertise and endorse the evening’s entertainment arrangements that we had spent the morning planning.
Every evening a show or event was put on by the youth ministry in or around the monastery grounds or the adjacent youth centre. We played a major role throughout the week in the diverse array of events that were on offer, ranging from Monday’s Total Wipe Out Mini–Game Blitz (in which volunteer teams were given 2 random items each and tasked with making up 2 suitably engrossing 4minute mini games for), to Tuesday’s Fancy Dress Disco (where each team had to pick a song,make up a dance routine for it, and teach it to the kids at the disco), and Thursday’s Children’sEntertainer (where each team warmed up the young audience with a few musical games to keep their interest from dwindling).
I find the fancy dress disco in particular brings back pleasantly vivid memories.
Wednesday was ONLY set aside for the SMALL matter of taking the kids on a trip toNewcastle, Co Down (You’d be forgiven for expecting a place that equates to Disneyland judgingby the fervour that accompanied the mere mention of its name). Each team had the responsibility of looking after the group of kids assigned to them. Although their demands were constant and sometimes excessive (to the point that they were impossible to fulfil) it gladly proved to be a very successful and joyful outing for all.
Friday generally speaking was an all out fun day as a barbeque was held in the monastery gardens. We also supervised the inflatable castles, obstacle courses and battle podiums that were erected to challenge the energy reserves of the vivacious kids, while balloon modelling, face painting, and hair braiding were all on offer for the more sedentary children. We wrapped up the evening (and the week) with our own barbeque and a reflection on the weeks experiences, highlights, and legacy.
While the focus of the outreach was clearly and deservedly on the local youths we volunteers unanimously felt that it was very beneficial and indeed fun for us too. The vast majority of those involved had enjoyed previous editions of this project and I got a distinct impression that it was very much an eagerly anticipated annual event. I can think of no more notable a testament of its merits.
Looking back on it now I evidently got a telling experience of youth orientation in this area of West Belfast that perhaps is universal in more ways than one. It may not be as poverty stricken as the majority of Mozambique or as steeped in inequality as Thailand, or as lacking in adequate facilities as many places in the Philippines, but that unforgettable week lent me the opportunity to connect with, serve and set an example for a generation of youths who although not greatly hindered by any recognisable malady or ravaged by any disastrous misfortune were very respectful and appreciative of and in a lot of cases quite sentimental about our Summer Outreach.
Paul David Murphy (Serve: Belfast Summer youth outreach volunteer 2010)
