Blog Entry 1
“Happy Families”
Happy Families. A little known card game which I have played with my siblings from a very young age. The game is similar to that of ‘Go Fish’ with normal playing cards, the aim being to collect the most complete sets of families comprised of Mr, Mrs, Master and Miss. I’m going to compare the game to my experience before embarking on this adventure to Senegal and my hopes and goals for my bridge year.
Every family has an occupation, a job that enables society to function. In the same way, every family I’ve had has created my support network and enables me to function. My birth family, who have been there to influence my identity, my interests and support me through every decision I’ve made until this point in my life and will continue to make. I compare my birth family to the Greens, the grocers. They provide what I know as ‘food for the journey’, they nourish me through laughter love and guidance.
My UWC family, strangers who became friends who became family. Before moving to UWC in Wales in 2016 I never imagined I could have such deep strong bonds with friends that it would hurt every moment that I’m not with them. I compare my UWC friends to the Chalks, the teachers. My UWC families has taught me so many values that have strengthened me over my two years there. I’ve learnt perseverance, courage, true empathy, to take risk, to love deeply and I’ve learnt perspective. I know that I always have something to learn from my UWC family, both from Atlantic College and the wider movement.
My family to be, my Senegalese family and my Global Citizen Year family. This new adventure that I’m about to go on has many aspects that feed my curiosity. I compare this new family to the Stamps, the postmen, this bridge year launches me into becoming a true global citizen. It if my first step into travelling to change the world. In Senegal I imagine there will be similar families as in ‘Happy Families’ that help the community run, but it will be something so different from what I know in the UK, the farmer’s may be more essential, the fishmonger’s more local, the teacher’s may be my friends and Fellows. I’m so excited to learn about the ‘Happy Families’ in Senegal and to find out how they influence society in another way to my own. I will take my families with me in spirit, ready to be part of another family to share some love and learn something new from them!
