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Dare Valley Goes International!
The languages of many nations could be heard in Aberdare last month thanks to the summer International Volunteering Project, which was carried out by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Services for Young People department in partnership with UNA Exchange (www.unaexchange.org).
18 young people from Turkey, Czech Republic, France, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Austria, Nigeria, England, Taiwan, Japan and Wales came together for two weeks to work towards improving an area of the Dare Valley Country Park for use by children, schools, community groups, and the general public.
Planned and organised by Service for Young People’s Outdoor Education Team based at the Country Park, the Project could not have taken place without the invaluable contribution and support from the Manager and staff of Dare Valley Country Park. The volunteers set out to extend the outdoor classroom and improve the area with the creation and installation of benches, a flagstone base for performances/features, removal of overgrowth, planting, engraving and mosaic work.
The project gave the international volunteers and Rhondda Cynon Taf young people the opportunity to live and work together at the Dare Valley Country Park Visitor Centre. Over the two weeks the young people were able to get to know more about each others countries and languages and of course the history and culture of Wales and the local area. Four local boys undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award were also involved in the project and made sure the overseas visitors went home knowing a great deal more about our country than when they arrived.
The group also managed to fit in a trip to Big Pit, walked to the summit of Pen y Fan, attended a rehearsal of Cor Meibion Morlais and also linked up with 2 other groups of Valleys-based international volunteers on projects in Penrhys and Blaenllechau, as well as explore Aberdare.
Dina Leitane, the UNA Exchange European Volunteer who has been based with Services for Young People’s Outdoor Education Team at the Dare Valley Country Park for the past year, was the force behind this year’s International Project. Dina has now returned to Latvia and will be sorely missed by the team.
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Life Long Learning, who visited the project to meet some of the volunteers and see the work which had taken place, said: “The work carried out by the project is really good and will now encourage people to use the space. It is really pleasing to hear that as a County Borough we are inviting and encouraging international students to share in our beautiful countryside and work in partnership with our young people for them to learn about various cultures. The various International exchange projects available to young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf is fantastic and continues to go from strength to strength.”
Louise Cook, Senior Manager of Rhondda Cynon Taf Services for Young People, echoed these sentiments and said: “We are very proud of our International links and the young people gain invaluable experience from projects like this and the various exchange projects that Services for Young People have on offer.”
If you would like to know more about international volunteering or exchanges, in Wales or overseas, please contact the Outdoor Education Team on 01685 889213 or 07786523915.
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