God Speed

Great first post Lewis, it is wonderful you are now on the move. I know the folks in Romford will miss you.

I trust that the experience you have will be significant for both you and the YMCA's across South East Asia. I have no doubt there are countless young people like yourself would love this opportunity.

Best wishes and we look forward to your regular updates.

The Beginning...

Morning all,

I'm Lewis Semper the Support Services Officer from the Romford YMCA. Recently I was chosen for a Young Professional position based in Hong Kong. Today at approximately 6.05pm is when my flight to humid Hong Kong departs. I'm quite excited about this opportunity but also a little scared. Although it's not my first visit to Hong Kong, this is much more than a 10 day business trip as I will be based there for 12 months while travelling to several locations in Asia. While in these locations I will be working closely with Jose Varghese (Executive Secretary of APAY) in organising and promoting Global Alternative Tourism.

I'm not entirely sure exactly what I should be expecting, I think we would all enjoy a limousine ride from the airport to a 5 star hotel but it might be best to start small. I'm going to go in with an open mind, and try to embrase this amazing opportunity as best I can, which summarises all of the helpful advice loved ones gave. Not that I couldn't have came to that conclusion independently, still I'm extremely grateful for all of the love and support particularly from my home YMCA. On my first visit the locals were very kind and helpful, I loved the food and the whether was a refreshing change so I think I'm off to a good start. I should be blogging every other week so be sure to keep your eyes open for the middle and end.

I would like to thank John Norely, Ken Montgomery, Dave Ball, Kerry Jones and Sidney Slaney for all of their guidance, support and help down to the final day.

Hong Kong here I come!

Everyone home safely

Well I believe I was the last to arrive home out of the posse of contributors to the blog, truly a month of wonderful experiences for some great people within the YMCA.

If you are a regular reader there is usually only contributions at the moment from people who are on Global Link events.

I will give you notice on the YMCA Page on Facebook when there is some activity pending.

We really hope you find the blog interesting.

Hope

Left the YMCA of the Rockies this morning and spent the rest of the day travelling to Chicago, arrived around 8.45pm.

Chatted briefly to a lovely woman on the flight who afeter hearing who I work for said what a wonderful organisation, her two children had growin up doing activities at the YMCA, and she said it is only the likes of the YMCA that we can take some hope for the future from.

One of the things which moves me is when I hear people, very often strangers tell me what an influence the YMCA has had on them.

Departing the Rockies

Just spent two days visiting the YMCA of The Rockies. It is a centre of some 800 acres situated in the Rockie Mountains in Colorado. The reason for my visit was two fold, 1, to do a reccy on the site to familiarise myself with the venue as it will host the next YMCA World Council in 2014, I suspect we will have a large delegation and 2, to explore employment opportunities for young people from the YMCA in England to come here to work for 3 or 12 months.

A truly fantastic opportunity.

Today will be spent travelling as I move on to Chicago to visit the Y USA Offices and to meet with staff to discuss future co-operation and potential partnerships before spending a day visiting two YMCA International Centres of Excellence.