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We would like to thank you and your colleagues very much for the experience of a lifetime from which Georgina has recently returned. The organisation has been second to none and the information given with regard to safety has been of the highest order. We were particularly impressed (and reassured of course) by the Risk Assessment. The weekly telephone bulletin with news from Botswana was also much appreciated.
Thank you for your letter and details of Angela's Fulcrum trip to South Africa. We really appreciated receiving the outline programme, contact numbers and risk assessment.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the effort, inspiration and enthusiasm you are giving not only to Angela, but all the youngsters on the challenge. I think that this whole project is fantastic, because it enables young people to discover their talents in such a positive and dynamic way.
Our daughter Angela wanted to take part in the programme, when she read about what a participant did from her school, two years ago! She has thrown herself wholeheartedly in the project and I know that she will not only learn a lot about herself and other people, but that she will enjoy herself and give others pleasure too.
As we enter another round of Fulcrum Challenge, I would like to thank you for the opportunity this scheme has offered to previous students. Both students come from economical disadvantaged families and were on the Free School Meal Register. Both come from large families where the opportunities for each individual are necessarily limited.
As young Asian Muslim women they found cultural and family barriers to overcome but the careful planning and personal contact overcame these in each case. I feel the whole process and experience gave these two students an incredible amount of confidence in themselves. Against the odds, they have gone on to Higher Education to a Business Degree in one case and on to Medicine in the other.
As it happens they are both the eldest in their families and I know they felt that they have set a very positive example to their younger siblings.
It is clear that Rachel had a wonderful time and that it has changed and developed her in many ways. She is in contention, now, for the much sought after post of Head Girl and that would not have been the case three months back.
I hope that we will be able to send you some sparkling girls next year; it is a
wonderful scheme and the young people who take part are indeed fortunate. It
is really visionary to provide such a scheme.
I am going to be spending five months living in France, hopefully with the outcome of being fluent in French. I have prepared myself for this being a difficult experience and I am confident I will reach the goals I have set myself. I would like to thank Fulcrum for instilling that confidence in me. I came to realise some of my boundaries during our time in Kenya, both physically and emotionally, and this helped me to feel more comfortable about myself.
I would like to thank you therefore, not only for an insight into leadership, a fantastic contribution to my CV, and unquestionably the best year of my life, but also for giving me the opportunity to make some of the best friends Ive ever had.
I cannot say how beneficial this course has been to me, it has undoubtedly changed my attitude in so many ways that I will probably never fully know. However, there are some things I do know: I know of the supporting community that exists in society; the confidence people have in me; a much greater grasp of leadership, networking, teambuilding and many other similar skills; the contrasts that exist in the global community and yet the aspirations, pride and sense of fulfilment individuals have. I also know there is much more to learn, skills to enhance, opportunities to embrace and people to meet. But, if nothing else, I now have the courage and confidence in my own ability to do this: I feel ever so empowered.
I have come to the conclusion that I want to work with young people; I want to take them on an experience that in your words will blow their minds. I want them to see and realise what potential they have within themselves to achieve whatever they want to do. I want as many young people in Ireland to have that experience.
The Fulcrum experience has been a major point in my life so far. I have made friends, for life. I have seen things which a lot of people have never seen and I know I'll see them again. When we were sitting in Ramthanbore reflecting on the trip I made a promise to myself that one day I would bring a group of Irish children, from north, south, east and west to that very spot. Im determined to do. I realise it may take a number of years to achieve but that is one of my long-term goals.
I believe Fulcrum is so special, because theres something deeper. I never intended to take part in Fulcrum because it would look good on my UCAS form, but it will. Now I realise that it is a unique experience to be a part of the Fulcrum family. It has changed my outlook on life.
I feel very privileged to have spent time with you and been accepted into this family, because you and all the others at Fulcrum have set up something more than just an organisation to give people amazing experiences, an environment in which we can grow, learn and develop in a way I wasn't expecting. You may think that I'm very confident and self assured, and maybe I appear that way more than others, but really I have so much to learn and such a strong desire to develop into a stronger person. So I know that in my own way I will gain more from Fulcrum than anyone else will understand.
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Last changed on August 09 2006, 23:59 pm