A Tale of Two Cities
Nicola Coulthard, 22, is registered blind and has been on Oasis' A Tale of Two Cities programme this year. Nicola spent six months in Johannesburg, followed by five months in Salford. Here, Nicola speaks about her time in each...
Before starting university I had researched another organisation to do a Gap Year with, but they weren't able to find a suitable placement. So I waited until after university to take a Gap Year, which turned out to be better timing anyway! I heard of Oasis through a friend who did a summer team, and was inspired because there were lots of different project areas to work in.
In South Africa I was involved in several community-based projects, ranging from an ante-natal clinic to after-school clubs in primary schools, mentoring school leavers, and volunteering at a soup kitchen and an HIV hospice.
In Salford I have been involved in the Oasis church, and worked in youth groups. I have also helped run before-and after-school clubs in a local primary school, and have been involved in mentoring and supporting Year 7 students at the Oasis MediaCityUK Academy.
Both placements have been so different - in South Africa I developed skills in working with children; an area I hadn't felt confident in before. I also discovered a passion for working with young people. For example, I loved seeing a young person's realisation that they can still show God's light to others in spite of living in a township. Townships are areas of poor, informal housing. They tend to have high levels of un-employment and crime and little or limited health and education facilities.
South Africans have an overwhelming love for life and for others, so it was great to encounter this. In Salford I have definitely used my skills which I developed in South Africa, and have had to trust God in a more challenging environment when He seemed further away.
I have found that I can make myself vulnerable and admit when I am finding things difficult - that is when the best relationships are formed and things change in you. I've learned not to have such high standards in myself, and to listen to God and let Him guide where I'm going. I've also grown in confidence to try new things, and realised I am good at communicating with people.
I've just started a job as Assistant Chaplain at Roehampton University, which is very exciting, and I really feel my experiences have shaped me for this role!
If you would like to take part in A Tale of Two Cities, please contact Charlie Ferdinando on 020 7921 4200 or charlie.ferdinando@oasisuk.org
*Click here to read the note regarding the summer appeal.