I am going on my own to do an 8 week uni placement in South Africa (Johannesburg) where I will be working intensively with the community of Hillbrow, otherwise known as the 'no go area' of the city. Hillbrow has only one white family living there with the majority of the buildings hijacked and controlled by local gangs, it is notorious for its population density ( overcrowding) poverty, environmental degredation and high levels of crime.
I go not to exploit the poor, to big myself up nor to look like a 'do gooder', rather I go as a Community Development practitioner that will work with and for the people of Hillbrow, helping to identify and challenge injustices they are faced by, with the hope in working for change in their individual lives and community. I truely recognise this is a privledged position/opportunity that I will encounter and one in which I will be forever thankful.
As I go on this journey, leaving my family and friends, my home comforts and all that I know, I risk my safety to go into the unknown. My heart is heavy due to the reality of the injustices our fellow human beings are faced by and if it means making one small change, helping one person then this to me is worth it all. Most importantly I go with an expectant heart one that will bring love, hope and acceptance to a disadvantaged community.
All the work that I do here in Glasgow as well as in South Africa is underpinned by a number of values; social justice, inclusion, equality/anti discrimination, working and learning together, community empowerment and last but not least collective action.
The main bulk of my work will be within the Children's Memorial Institute, which is an organisation who supports children with psychological, emotional and additional needs. I will also be involved in street outreach, working with street children/youth who are involved in the gang culture. I want to enable the community to pull together and work for change.

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