CAFOD offers life-changing gap year for young people
Catholic aid agency CAFOD and its UK partners are offering young people a life-changing gap year experience with a chance to work in Africa as well as engage local communities in global justice and development.
With A-level results released this week, many teenagers will be deciding on what path to take next. CAFOD’s Step into the Gap programme offers young people a chance to gain a real insight into the lives, opportunities and challenges that are faced by communities in developing countries. They will then bring back stories of their experiences to share with youth groups in England and Wales and help to engage young people in the UK in global justice issues.
CAFOD’s leadership development coordinator Helen Gough said:
“Step into the Gap is a year out with a difference that demands total commitment from the participants, but the journey they go on will help them to develop leadership skills and build relationships that will last forever. It really is a life changing experience. We recognise that many young Christians want to explore the world and gain new skills and also expand their faith. This programme provides an opportunity for young adults to explore the link between faith and action and bring communities together across the world.”
The “gappers” will dedicate their time and effort this year working alongside CAFOD in a choice of placements – St Marys Catholic College in Blackpool, the Youth Ministry Team in Consett, and Just Youth, a ministry team in Salford. The scheme, which is supported by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and is open to people aged between 18 and 30, is now in its third year.
CAFOD "Gappers"
Former ‘gapper’ Jon, 22, who was based at St Mary’s Catholic College in Blackpool and travelled to Kenya on the scheme last year, said: “Be prepared to have your life transformed. You’ll learn so much and you’ll meet and work alongside some incredible people. My life has been turned upside down. I’m now going back to university to do a PGCE in primary teaching after being inspired by the teaching experiences I had in England and Africa during my Step into the Gap year.”
Applications for Step into the Gap close on 22nd August 2011. Please visit www.cafod.org.uk/stepintothegap for more information and an application form