African adventure for young politician
Ben Wesson, Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP), has returned from Sierra Leone and his mission to forge a special link with likeminded African teenagers.
Ben, aged 17 and from Leamington Spa, spent two weeks with One World Link, an organisation which aims to promote friendship between the two cultures, where he visited a town called Bo and experienced its schools and youth clubs first hand.
North Leamington School sixth former Ben said: “Embracing Sierra Leonean life and culture was a fantastic experience. Not only did I learn a lot about the way of life in Sierra Leone, but also learnt a lot about myself, and my own attitude towards life.
“Many people say the world is a small place but what became apparent to us whilst in Sierra Leone was that there are huge differences in the way we live our lives. We take so many things for granted like access to clean water, leisure facilities and education. Yet, these people in Sierra Leone, a country with mass youth unemployment, still manage to remain motivated and are always hopeful that tomorrow will bring better things.”
Ben, who is supported in his work as a Deputy MYP by Warwickshire County Council, visited primary and secondary schools in Bo to learn about the education system and problems facing the schools, which include overcrowding and lack of basic furniture.
He added: “Throughout our visit, we noted that young people in the UK could certainly learn a thing or two from their brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone. Not only do the majority of these people live in extremely impoverished conditions, but they always seem happy to take advice and rarely have anything but a smile on their faces.
“Friendship is the fundamental part of the link, and our hope is that the personal friendships that we have made will continue to blossom for years to come.”
Ben is now looking at ways he can formally link Warwickshire youth groups with those in Bo through various different projects.