WAIT TRIP TO IRELAND (21st – 24th February 2007)

This was a trip WAIT UK wanted to do for a long time!  On two previous occasions, WAIT had performed the Break Dance, the Rose Dance and sang Respect at public events in Dublin. However, we did not have the opportunity to do a full performance or train others as we did this time. Fourteen WAIT members and two parents (Naomi Sato and Marshall de Souza) embarked on this Irish excursion!

A Catholic youth leader by the name of Roberto Samson (who had seen the WAIT team in Dublin on our previous visit) organized four venues for us; we ran a WAIT workshop at Unity House on our last day in Ireland! All in all, an exciting, but quite challenging experience for WAIT UK.

DAY ONE:

We arrived safely at Dublin airport, but the day was made hectic because the flight was delayed over an hour. We received a warm welcome by friendly faces, had a wonderful meal, and then had to rush off to our first performance. This was at the BRAD-OG youth centre in Central Dublin. Even though some of the WAIT members felt a bit nervous and unprepared, the youth group was very accepting; they took our message well, and enjoyed the energy! The WAIT members got to really talk to them afterwards. They were inspired! The youth worker and project leader said they were impressed by the WAIT team. Apparently, these youth were more attentive and alert than usual. They told us that they would like to promote WAIT at their club, and would make a DVD of our performance (we have now received a copy).

DAY TWO:

The morning began by watching “The Naked Truth” DVD, featuring Lakita Garth from America. The team trained for a few hours after breakfast, after which they were allowed some time to chill out and enjoy the sights of Dublin. They re-grouped after 3pm, and started to prepare for the evening performance, which would be held at the Sheriff Street Youth Club. The team did a well-rehearsed full performance under difficult conditions – the children who attended were quite young, and there was a disturbing feedback and echo in the big hall throughout the performance! But afterwards, the WAIT team and local children blended well. Sean was very inspired by a young girl who could do flips and perfect handstands; Jude taught a number of kids how to break dance…  The WAIT girls also got involved in a number of small workshops! This day ended very positively indeed.

 

DAY THREE:

Day three started with watching the “HIV Stories” DVD and making sandwiches for our day-out! The WAIT team took an-hour long bus ride to Killinarden, a village outside Dublin. We were invited to perform to a group - the Integration of African Children in Ireland – at the local community centre. Again, a full performance was done, followed by a break dance workshop. The leader of this group, Yemi Ojo, would like to invite the WAIT team to come again; funnily enough, the community centre leader took photographs of our performance and workshop. She too would like to see us again, and promised to fill the hall up then. Her photos were going to be put on their website that afternoon! The African and WAIT groups enjoyed lunch together.
After a rainy bus ride back to Dublin, followed by a rather long walk, we arrived at the last youth centre we were to visit: Neighbourhood Youth Project at St. Agatha’s Hall. The WAIT team did their full performance again, and engaged in different workshops with the local youth afterwards. At this venue, we met an enthusiastic break dance trainer, Joseph, who is now committed to supporting WAIT in Ireland. He told us he believes in the WAIT message and vision! We then made our way back to our residence, where we enjoyed a well-deserved and delicious dinner.
Two things happened after dinner: 1) Connie and Samuel were invited to the New Horizons local radio station in Dublin. They shared a lot about WAIT, and offered their comments about youth problems in Britain and Ireland; and 2) Marshall and the rest of the WAIT team met to discuss and plan the workshop that was going to take place the next day.

DAY FOUR:

Saturday started off with a reflection of the previous three days. Alex led this meeting, where everyone was asked to share a few words about what they learnt or experienced. Some said that they learnt more about HIV, and how people cope with it; others said that they felt better equipped than before to talk to people about WAIT.

The WAIT workshop begun after breakfast! A large group of Filipino youth (invited by Roberto) arrived, together with a few youth we had met from the different youth centres we performed at the days before. Kathleen welcomed everyone; we showed the WAIT DVD; then Marshall gave the HIV/AIDS PowerPoint presentation. Following that, the WAIT team did a full performance. Then, Connie led a group on presentation skills; the WAIT boys led a break dance workshop; and the WAIT girls taught the Filipino girls “Respect”. After fifty minutes, the newly trained performers performed in front of everyone: a fantastic break dance and two different groups doing “Respect”. It was amazing! Truly, some parents had tears in their eyes. What young people can learn in a short space of time!!

We all share a lovely final lunch together; and then the dreaded affair arrived – the WAIT team had to leave for the airport… Not even a march in downtown Dublin and lack of busses running could stop us! Two families offered their people-carrier vehicles to take the team to the airport (thanks to prayer power and good-hearted human nature), where they arrived in good time.

It was a little sad to leave Ireland, but we know that the WAIT seed has been sown, and soon, with the help of people like Roberto and Joseph, an Irish WAIT team will be born! Our special thanks to them for all their support, as well as to Patricia Iversen and her family for their wonderful hospitality.

Our next stop will be Uganda in the summer! There is also a possibility that some of the WAIT members will be invited to Italy. Let’s hope that happens…

However, WAIT UK is very keen to visit schools to make powerful presentations as well as perform at!