The Phocus 2010 project is all about ‘making the impossible possible’ by encouraging people aged 14 to 19 from South Leeds, living in areas of high deprivation of whom often have low aspirations for themselves to dream bigger dreams for their lives. By supporting them to believe in themselves, recognising & developing their full potential and providing them with the skills and tools to do so.

The project strives to have both a local and international impact; internationally providing practical help for those in desperate circumstances, building homes, schools, sanitation facilities. Working with street kids, kids trapped in prostitution, families who are in need, the elderly, those with illness such as polio; all in conjunction with the present needs and in partnership with local people and in-country projects; currently in .

Locally the project will increase social awareness, promote social cohesion, self and mutual respect whilst developing social skills and employability.  It aims to promote the concept of ownership and the fact that if you work towards something - you can achieve it; it’s about personal development, educated choice, the regeneration of our local communities, it’s about ‘seeing potential, harnessing opportunity and changing lives.’  

Phocus combines local based youth work (under St Luke's CARES) with international expedition (in partnership with Mission Direct) to some of the poorest countries in the world - working alongside local grassroots organisations both locally and abroad. It aims to explore young peoples’ attitudes, values and aspirations whilst empowering individuals to make fully informed choices for their lives.

The newest team is made up of 4 youth workers, 2 junior leaders/young leaders and 10, 14 to 19 year olds, which is very exciting, the next expedition dates to  are March 28th to April 10th 2010.  

As part of teaching all the young people involved the value of ownership, showing them that if we choose to work towards something we can achieve it; and because the majority of the team are from areas of high deprivation having limited financial means we have much fundraising to do.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. 

I really do hope you will consider this to be a project worth investing in!

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A bit about :  came out of civil war in 2002 ~ a war in which many died and a lot of the young people were pulled into fight as kid soldiers or into prostitution.  When the war ended 50% of the population was under the age of 15.  The average annual wage is just £100 a year and the typical life span is 40 years.  Since the war ended the country is slowly rebuilding itself. One of a number of projects we are working alongside is called 'The City of Rest' a drug rehabilitation and mental health project (the only one of it's kind in Sierra Leone - set up to support local people process what they experienced during the war).  We will also be working alongside a number of local schools, projects for men and women with polio and will spend a lot of time working with street kids. 

 

The 3  

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk is a very demanding but rewarding walk, which takes in the summits of Pen-y-ghent (694 metres - 2,276 feet), Whernside (736 metres - 2,415 feet) and Ingleborough (723 metres  2,372 feet) all in one circular route. There is no set starting point, but the vast majority of walkers start at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, taking in the summits in the order shown above.

The walk is 24.5 miles (39.2km) long and takes in over 5,000 feet (1,600 metres) of climbing. The walking is over a variety of terrains, and even though the paths have been improved immensely over recent years, certain sections can still be very boggy and energy sapping.  By tradition, the walk must be completed within 12 hours.