A TRIP to Taiwan was the focus of a special talk by a group of young people from across Annandale and Eskdale.
The ten presented their experience and cultural learnings from an exchange trip to Taiwan and Hong Kong last October to their peers, family, educators and funders.
Ahead of the adventure, the youngsters had participated in weekly Global Education workshops as well as carrying out intensive fundraising.
Monies raised paid for seven days in Taiwan where they volunteered in local community centres and primary schools, and were interviewed on the radio. Not only did the group learn about Taiwanese culture, but they also gave a cultural presentation about Scotland to five different groups, helped with sports activities, taught ceilidh dancing and sang Scottish anthems.
During the time in Hong Kong, the young people visited the Keswick Foundations projects where they experienced an escape room about gambling harms and visited a museum about the social housing crisis, followed up with meeting members of the community and hearing their stories.
The young people aim to empower other young people to speak about other cultures, challenging opinions and meeting new people.
Commenting, Councillor Ian Blake, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s communities committee, said: “Youth work is such a diverse profession and I believe this just shows the variety of provision and opportunities that is on offer within this region.
“The young people should be proud of the hard work they endured not only whilst volunteering but whilst still in Scotland at the workshops and fundraising. Well done to all involved.”
