By Poppy Mackenzie | Project Trust gap year volunteer 2023-4
Abdou, now 20 years old, has been a key member of the Diapalante Centre since he was 11, having first began coming in 2014. He describes the huge impact the Centre has had on both his academic success as well as his personal growth and development over the years.
When Abdou first came to the Centre, he was very uncertain in his French abilities and had little to no English knowledge. He was falling behind in school and struggled to keep up during his language classes. Abdou explained that schooling is in French so until he mastered French he couldn’t learn anything much in his other lessons! He felt there was a lack of extra support which many like him would have benefited from, as he was expected to understand grammar concepts, for example, on the first explanation. He also struggled to find a safe space in which he could openly practice his spoken language skills, a place with no judgement where he could learn from his mistakes. Most importantly of all, he felt he lacked encouragement and faith in his potential and abilities.
This could not be further from Abdou today, a fluent French speaker and confident English speaker, studying English at the University of Saint-Louis. He is, and should be, incredibly proud of how far he has come, surprising himself and those around him with his ability to apply himself and ultimately progress very quickly. Alongside a lot of hard work, Abdou says it is the Centre and its work which has facilitated his growth and development in many different areas of his life.
One significant achievement for Abdou was passing the BAC – the final exam at the end of high school, which determines whether you are able to attend university. According to him, it was the many extra lessons he attended at the Centre which gave him the edge. Not only that, but the English lessons broadened his understanding outside of the classroom, sparking an interest for the subject that he has gone on to study at university. The Centre provided him with endless reading, writing and particularly speaking activities which developed his language skills, as well as giving him a place and the resources to revise. He specified that having access to many English books in the library was useful to put the skills he is taught at school into practice. For him, the Centre went further than just providing extra support – he feels it set him apart from his classmates, pushing him further than he ever thought he would go.
Furthermore, Abdou has found that having different Project Trust volunteers from the UK working at the Centre each year has given him the opportunity to practice speaking conversational English with native speakers. He feels this has been beneficial for his learning as it doesn’t matter if he makes mistakes – the volunteers often know how it feels to be out of depth when speaking a foreign language with someone, so they are able to give realistic tips and encouragement. Not only that, but having seen 9 different sets of volunteers come and go, Abdou spoke of the importance of the cultural exchange. He and the other members have loved being able to share their customs and experience with the volunteers and vice versa.
As for the value of the Diapalante Centre in terms of its ICT facilities, Abdou says that having access to computers and the internet has been great for doing research; both to support his school work and beyond. According to him, it has allowed him to ‘discover the world’. In fact, Abdou used the Centre’s computers to submit his university application, opening up future opportunities for himself. Furthermore, it has helped him, and many others, build essential computer skills, such as how to use Microsoft functions like Word, which are indispensable in the modern workplace.
Abdou’s involvement in the Centre’s Young Leaders project has also helped build his confidence – this involves helping younger students develop their French skills. He said that it was important for him because it gave him responsibilities and a stronger sense of leadership, whilst of course reinforcing his language skills.
However, the greatest value of the Centre for Abdou is the people he has met and the friendships he has built there. He speaks very highly of the supportive staff, who have encouraged him in every stage of life, never giving up on him. He describes the atmosphere of the Centre as like a family, and it is the place where he has met some of his best friends. The Centre brings together young people from different schools and walks of life, all united by one goal – learning and growing together. Abdou says he will forever be a member of the Diapalante Centre, now coming back during university holidays and assisting with some of the English teaching himself.
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