rosy in America

I recently returned home to Northern Ireland after working in the United States for 12 months as an after-school intern with Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT), which was a truly blessed time. 
Based in a largely underprivileged suburb of Richmond, Virginia, CHAT seeks to ‘equip and serve the youth of Church Hill to make informative decisions’. There are focuses on improving education, providing job experience and most importantly in fostering significant relationships.

As an after-school intern, my role was quite varied. Two afternoons a week, I co-led a tutoring site for 5-7 year olds. Here we assisted students with homework and aim to meet their individual literacy needs. Each child had a volunteer tutor who worked with them in a one-to-one setting on areas within literacy they struggled with. CHAT recognises the importance of education for these young people, as well as providing a unique opportunity to engage with caring adults; something many of our students might not experience outside of CHAT.  

I also taught two life skills classes on Wednesday afternoons. One of these classes was cooking, which I loved. We encouraged our students to try new foods and to develop confidence in their cooking skills, as well as discussing nutritional options. Church Hill has been described as a ‘food desert’. There are no supermarkets close by and so the majority of our students eat fast food, or meals from corner stores. There is across the board in our young people a strong aversion to fresh fruit and vegetables, likely because they have not been readily available to them. CHAT has started a community garden where families can purchase cheap, fresh produce and so we discussed and used these ingredients in our cooking classes. I also helped with a screen printing entrepreneurship, where I worked alongside 3 high-school girls, printing and selling t-shirts. This provides valuable work experience for the girls, as well as insight into how to run a business. I certainly learnt a lot through the screen printing, and developed a strong bond with the girls.  

As well as this, I co-led a bible study for 10 year old girls, which I thoroughly enjoyed. CHAT is a Christian organisation and I loved engaging in bible study with these girls, to share stories of God at work and to support them in prayer. Outside of this, I also mentored one girl from the group. I spent time with her one-on-one and with her family. She had a particularly challenging home situation but it was great to meet with her and support her as best I could. I learnt a lot from this relationship, and have kept her family in prayer – leaving them was the hardest thing I had to do but I'm faithful they have support through CHAT. 
I learnt so much during my time in Church Hill. The community was amazing, and aside from growing my skills in youth work, I learnt how to be a good neighbour; how to engage with those around me and truly love them. 
‘I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken’.  
Psalm 16 v 8. 
Blessings,

Rosy McLean.