ECHO ISSUE 11

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Issue 11: April 2011

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In this Edition of Echo you can read all about the European Voluntary Service, hear what has been going on over the last few months and look ahead to all that is coming up as we look forward to Summer 2011.

Enjoy!

Martin Keeney

Youth Information Officer

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S TO E R I P M A V JAMAICAN E H T T A L A G ONE D T N E S E R REP S! D R A W A C I MUS H T U O Y H IRIS

N A E P O EUR Y R A T N VOLU E C I V R E S

tion Special Edi

Loft News & C I Y s le ic rt a p ia Grou Coming Up? ’s News Youth Med t a h W p U k Spea Newsletter11-martyedit.indd 1

05/04/2011 14:20:44

NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE YIC

WHATS NEW?

NET NIGHT AT LYIT

“Net Night” organised by the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre, Youth Action Group featuring the Jamaican Vampires and support will be held on Wed 6th of April at the An Danlaan building at the LYIT. Show starts at 7.00pm.“Net Night” is a night of musical celebration that will showcase the HUWY internet project results. There will be lots of music from local bands such as the Jamaican Vampires, Phat Kidz, Eyes of the Enemy, Leila Keeney and there will be free pizza!

There will also be chances to win Prizes including an Ipod Touch with several itunes vouchers also up for grabs. The night is being held in the new state of the art An Dannlann building on the campus of the LYIT. The work of the HUWY project a hub website for young people will be explained on the night. All are welcome so tell your friends!!

IRISH YOUTH MUSIC AWARDS Jamaican Vampires will represent Donegal at the final of this years Irish Youth Music Awards in Dublin following victory in the Donegal heat at An Grianan in March. INK (Voodoo) has been confirmed as the venue this year for the IYMA prep gig and fundraiser. It takes place on the 20th April 2011, 8pm -11pm €5 payable on the door. This event is strictly alcohol free, soft drinks will be available from the bar.

GAME REVIEW

by Natan Parzynski (14) & Stephen Crowley (13) Pokémon white and black are the newest Pokémon games to be released. The game is set in the unova region. There are over 150 new Pokémon for a change there is a female professor called Professor juniper. Her Pokémon is called minccino a chinchilla like Pokémon. The new starter Pokémon are 1 snivy a grass type starter Pokémon 2 oshawott the water Pokémon 3 tepig the fire starter Pokémon Well to cut things short the game is so awesome And the graphics ar so so good for a DS game that we could not be bothered to write more it is so good you must get it if you have a DS it is a must have game.

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05/04/2011 14:20:49

WHATS BEENIN HAPPENING PARTY THE PARK We look at some recent highlights in the Youth Information Centre.

And the winners are..

Gabriel and Ashley at Arena 7

Leila Keeney performing

Left Mid: Internet Safety workshop at Loft conference Middle Right: Phat Kidz backstage at the IYMAS Mid Left: Matthew Trainor Experience at IYMAs Bottom Left: Election candidates at Youth Council Debate Bottom right: YIC Youth Media Group at Youth Council election debate Newsletter11-martyedit.indd 3

05/04/2011 14:21:10

EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY PARTY IN THE PARK SERVICE Letterkenny Youth Information Centre have been a host organisation for the European Volunteer Service, having had 5 different European volunteers work here for a period of 9 months, with 2 new volunteers arriving shortly. Here Sandra and Nataliya tell us their own unique stories.

MY IRISH EXPERIENCE

by Sandra Gutierrez (YIC & Loft EVS Volunteer) From looking after disabled people to cultivating plants and baking your own bread on an island, an EVS project is as broad as you can imagine. When I started applying for my EVS project, I focused on the topics related to my studies or of my personal interest.

Now that I have met many others EVS volunteers, one of the things that really has drawn my attention is the amount of people that are working on very hard projects, like looking after disabled people, helping at a homeless shelter or at a house for alcoholic people who are allowed to drink.

Before coming to Ireland, we had pre-departure training and one of the things I remember most vividly was a young man’s speech about his experience as an EVS volunteer.

Although he couldn’t speak any German and didn’t have any related experience, he ended up going to Germany to work with disabled people. It ended up being the best experience of his life, as Newsletter11-martyedit.indd 4

WHAT IS EVS? EVS, which is administered

by Léargas, funds volunteers from one European country to spend he told us. Not only could time - typically six to 12 he perfectly deal with the work and the language, but months - working as a from just helping to carry volunteer in a not-for-profit people from one room to another, he started to organisation in another develop a close contact with those people and country. Everyone benefits: created really strong links the volunteer gains with them. experience and skills and Therefore, that confirmed my idea that an an insight into a different EVS experience can really change a person’s life. Now way of living, while the that I have been in the host organisation, and Letterkenny Youth Information Centre for 8 those it cares for, benefit months, I can already tell that this has been the best from the energy and experience of my life. enthusiasm of the young person, while learning Although my project is not as difficult as others I know about, it has changed about another culture. my perspectives of life and Letterkenny Youth also my future plans.

Information Centre Before I came here, I was is a host and sending convinced I needed to look for a job in my city of organisation for the Seville, but now I am European Voluntary planning to go to live in another country and have Service. If you would like new experiences, because now I am addicted to what to find out more about EVS EVS has given me, which is or would like to participate not only having a work experience abroad but also in the programme then and especially widening my come in and talk to a life perspective.

I would strongly member of staff now. recommend EVS to any young person who would SOME USEFUL LINKS like to gain a really great www.youthnetworks.eu and different life www.eurodesk.ie experience.

05/04/2011 14:21:13

EUROPEAN PARTY IN VOLUNTARY THE PARK SERVICE

PHRASES YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN COMING TO IRELAND

by Sandra Gutierrez When you first arrive in Ireland or in this case Donegal you might think your English is very good and you can communicate with people without any problem.

But you might be wrong, because what if somebody uses expressions like the ones below? Would you know what they are referring to?

What’s the craic? Although it may seem you are in a “dodgy” place, they are actually meaning “What’s up?” Also “to have the craic” means to have fun.

To give out: it means to complain about some situation you are not happy with.

To do someone’s head in: This is my favourite. It means to annoy somebody, like in “Nataliya is doing my head in today!!” (haha).

Fair enough: It means “That’s alright!”

MY EVS EXPERIENCE Nataliya Prsychepa - UKRAINE

Eight months has passed already since I arrived in Letterkenny. During this time I have met many very nice people from Ireland and other countries. I have found very good friends here and I know I will miss them very much.

During this time I have learnt a lot on different courses and trainings. I have been improving my English, learning how to work with a digital camera, with video and with teenagers.

Wee: A very popular word in Donegal, meaning “small “.

Aye [pronounced like “I”]: It is a different way to say yes.

Fair play (to you)!: It means “Well done!!”

Other things you may notice on people’s speech here are the use of “like” at the end of many sentences, but actually it doesn’t have a specific meaning LIKE. Also, many people use the word “yous” when you are talking to more than one person The pronunciation of some words like “film”, “house” or “town” are slightly different.

However, you get used to it and I personally don’t like any other accent than the Donegal people!

In my work I have learnt how to work in a easy-going way in a multicultural environment. I was working with great people with a brilliant sense of humor, who were very patient to my mistakes, my low level of English, my problems and my character.

I will miss the time I have spent with them. During this time I have learnt a lot about Ireland, Irish history, culture and people. I was traveling in different parts of Ireland and I saw many very beautiful places. Ireland is a very beautiful country. My favorite place is the National park in Glenveagh in Donegal.

During this time I have developed many new skills and had a brilliant life experience, which will very helpful for me in the future. I think everybody should consider becoming an EVS volunteer – it’s really great experience. You will not understand me until you try it!

Bottom Newsletter11-martyedit.indd 5

05/04/2011 14:21:24

EVS SPEAK UP! A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE For this edition we contacted former European Voluntary Service volunteers and asked them to reflect on what EVS in Donegal had meant to them.

Giulia Dematte - ITALY (EVS Volunteer YIC July 2009-2010) First of all to me EVS was a great opportunity to grow up and to test myself, because for me that was the first time I was alone so far away from home for several months. In Letterkenny I met great new friends and I had the chance to work with people who really care about their job. The most important thing that I learned is that being alone is just a choice and not a “condemnation” that we have to accept If we don’t want to, and that the power of words is enormous, but the communication is not made only by letters and sounds. I’m still the same person that I was before EVS, with the same values, the same defects and the same dreams, but I did this experience and I won’t go back because it made me understand many things about myself and now I feel a bit more courageous. I haven’t got any job connected with my EVS yet (I just worked during the summer), but at Uni the teachers found my experience abroad interesting and I think it influenced them positively when they decided to give me a place in the course that I wanted to attend. Moreover, English is now very useful for my studies, even though unfortunately I’m quickly forgetting the grammar and a lot of words! I also think that EVS will be an extra bonus in the future when I start looking for a real job.

Maria Barbera - SPAIN (EVS Volunteer YIC 2008-2009) My EVS experience gave me more social skills, more independence. I improved my English and I discovered the fantastic Irish people and their green and beautiful country. The main difference is that now I can go everywhere but I never feel alone. To be honest, I didn’t carry on in this type of work, as but I’m now working as a journalist in Barcelona but I think that EVS was a great life experience.

Aigi Kalvik – ESTONIA (EVS Volunteer Planet Youth 2009-2010) Thanks to EVS I got to have an experience of living abroad. I managed to live on a budget and adapt to another culture. I got to know more about Ireland, Irish people and Irish culture ( music, food, Irish English, slang etc ). For me it was living with another currency too-we had kroons in Estonia. I had never worked with young people or in youth work so that was defenitely an experience. I met many very nice and interesting people from different cultural backgrounds. I miss living in another country. It is more interesting and challenging to manage in another culture environment, to understand and accept the differences. This experience made me a more open, tolerant and flexible person. I know I can manage in living away from my home country, I feel more free to communicate in English and I have many good friends and contacts in Ireland to visit that beautiful land again. I can say my life was more interesting and full of surprises when i was on EVS.When i applied for my current job as a travel agent, they were very interested in my EVS experience. They asked many questions about what i did, why i went, even why i came back? My EVS experience was the main topic of my job interview. I got this job so i think EVS was a very useful experience. I am sure living and working (doesn’t matter if volunteering or not) in another country is an advantage to show in your CV for employers.

It is a valued experience.

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05/04/2011 14:21:28

LETS TALK ABOUT SEX

SEX EDUCATION

5th year St. Eunan’s college :

remark, or even laugh at the mere

“During the five years that I have

word. If teens were a bit more

attended St. Eunan’s college, only

mature about sex education, then

once has a teacher ever had a group

maybe teachers would be able to talk

discussion on the topic of sex.

about it a little more calmly and confi-

That discussion happened early at the

dently, for I believe that it is

beginning of 5th year. The teacher

very important to learn about your

IS IT WORKING?

asked us such questions as; “Do we

body, STI’s and contraceptives.”

by Jack Duffy (Youth Media Grroup)

know the legal age of sex in Ireland”,

Many young teenagers have not got

“Do we think contraception is readily

enough experience of sex education

available to young people”, etc. It

in schools. Most teachers struggle to

really made me think: how much do

know how to approach the subject. In

we actually know about sex? Is

addition to this, many parents do not

information about sex readily available

talk with their children about the topic

to us? And how comfortable are people

itself, as they are unsure of how to

talking about sex?”

approach their children or even what

Transition Year - St. Eunan’s college:

to say to them, as most either brush

“Well, I personally have never had

off questions from their children with

much sex education in school. I don’t

phrases like “You are too young for

know why, but to me, some of the

this conversation”, or, “I’ll tell you

teachers have troubles talking to us

when you’re older”.

about the topic. I think this is because most teenagers seem to be immature

Some local students gave us their

about the topic... for example; “Today

opinion on this sensitive subject.

we’re going to talk about sex!” and

Let’s Talk About Sex Donegal is a Sexual Health Awareness Week will be held from Monday 11th until Friday 15th April 2011. The aim of the week is to promote healthy and supportive conversations with young people about sex, sexual health and sexuality.

We want to encourage adults to get involved especially parents, family members, teachers, youth workers and all the key influencers in young peoples lives. For more info contact 074-9129630.

then a student would make a smart

WORK PLACEMENT PROFILE

(Dionne Gallagher) Tell me about yourself I am 19 years and I live in Milford. I have recently completed a computer applications and office skills course in FAS Letterkenny.

I hope to undertake a Business course in the local Institute of Technology in September. There is nothing I enjoy more than hanging out with friends and relaxing at the weekends.

Why did you want to come to do your work placement in DYS? I heard from others that the DYS was a comfortable and fun environment to work in. I wished to broaden my skills in communication and personal development. I am also interested in the line of work that the DYS deal with.

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What has it been like so far?

So far I have had a very pleasant and enjoyable experience working with the DYS. I find the staff very easy to approach and they make me feel comfortable in my surroundings. The place always has a fun atmosphere and there is never a dull moment!

What job would you most like to do in the future?

As this moment in time I am still unsure as to what I wish to do in the future. I’d like to keep my options open although I would be interested in working with the DYS in the future.

Have you any other interests/hobbies?

I enjoy relaxing at the weekends and spending time with friends socialising. I also like spending time with my family. I enjoy music and sampling the local nightlife. I am also interested in reading and like to unwind with a good book when I have time.

If you would like to complete a work placement in the Donegal Youth Service contact us today on 074 9129640.

05/04/2011 14:21:30

YIC LETTERKENNY

WHAT’S COMING UP?

SERVICES & PROGRAMMES

WORK PREPARATION PROGRAMME Letterkenny Youth Information Centre is now offering a new Work Preparation Programme for young people aged 16-25. The course will run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a 3 week period from 11am-1pm, with the first course beginning on April 12th. The course offers participants an initial 12 hours of training and support in relation to preparing for work, including CV preparation, interview preparation, job seeking etc. Following the end of the course participants will also have the option of receiving up to 6 hours of one to one support with a staff member from the Youth Information Centre in order to help establish their next steps on the road to training or employment.

AREAS COVERED BY COURSE Employment Rights & Entitlements Understanding Tax CV Preparation Interview Preparation Job Seeking Skills Dealing with conflict in the workplace Self Assessment COURSE DATES 12th April, 14th April 19th April 21st April 26th April, 28th April THE SAME COURSE WILL RUN FOR A SECOND TIME BEGINNING ON THE 24th MAY, WITH THE COURSE ALSO RUNNING FOR A THIRD TIME WITH A JULY 5th START DATE. Cost for participants is FREE For more information contact: Letterkenny Youth Information

STUDENT TRAVEL CARD Letterkenny Youth Information Centre is an agent for the Student Travel Card. We can process your card for you in the centre. See www.studenttravelcard.ie for more details on the discounts on offer.

EURODESK Thinking of travelling, working or volunteering in Europe. Letterkenny YIC are your local Eurodesk Relay.

We have access to lots of European Information so give us a call today.

WEEKLY ACCOMMODATION & EMPLOYMENT LIST Our weekly employment and accommodation list for Letterkenny can now be accessed online. see www.donegalyouthservice.ie/yic for more details.

OUTREACH IN SCHOOLS Letterkenny YIC are reguarly providing outreach in different schools across the town and county.

We offer workshops in a range of areas including peer mentoring, school council training, internet safety workshops, study skills & much more. Contact the centre if you feel we could be of benefit to your school.

OUTREACH POINTS Letterkenny YIC are currently

FACEBOOK We are now on Facebook. Just search “Letterkenny YIC” and add us for regular updates and info.

developing outreach points in Buncrana, Moville and Carndonagh.

More details will be available on our website soon.

YOUTH MEDIA GROUP The Youth Media Group meets Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. If you would like to get involved contact a member of staff now.

HUWY PROJECT HUWY aims to get young people talking about policies and laws which affect the Internet and channel their ideas to governments and parliaments, national and EU. We have been working with a number of young groups across Donegal and Ireland to find out their views and share them on the site. See www. huwy.eu for more details.

YOUTH DEMOCRACY GROUP The Youth Democracy Group meet every Wednesday evening and they are currently working on a Leargas funded project which is seeking to highlight some of the difficulites faced by those who are facing uncertain citizenship in Ireland. Talk to Frankie in centre if you would like to help out on this project.

Centre on 074-9129640

About Letterkenny Youth Information Centre The Youth Information Centre is a well established resource for the local community providing Young people and those who work with them a one stop shop for information and training opportunities in the following areas: Job and Housing Lists - Law and Justice - CV Preparation Travel opportunities - College applications - Student Travel card service - Practice for Driver Theory Test - Leadership training - Media skills training - Drop in service Letterkenny Youth Information Centre, 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel 0749129640 or email yicletterkenny@donegalyouthservice.ie

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YOUTH ACTION GROUP The Youth Action Group meets on Thursday evenings and is works together on how to improve our Youth Information Service, as well as helping to organise some of the bigger events we are involved in. Talk to a member of staff now to find out more.

DROP IN HOURS The YIC drop in continues to open until 6pm Monday to Thursday, while we are open to 5pm on Fridays. The Loft drop-in remains open until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursdays and opens from 5-10pm on Fridays, as well as 2-6pm on Saturdays.

Phone 0749

STUDENT GRANT CONSULTATION Having trouble filling out your Student Grant application? Talk to a member of staff now.

PARTY IN THE PARK We are currently looking for volunteers to help with organising this years Party in the Park. Talk to a member of staff now.

05/04/2011 14:21:31