November 2024

Travelling to Southern Africa with a group of teenagers from Ascent was nothing short of magical. We were setting out on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to South Africa and Botswana—a part of the world rich with history, resilience, and natural beauty. For six of our looked-after children, aged 13 to 16, this wasn’t just another trip; it was their first experience abroad, and for some, even their first time on an aeroplane. Their excitement was infectious, and as staff, we felt immensely lucky to be part of this journey. I could sense the anticipation and joy as we boarded, ready to see the world through their fresh perspectives.

The Buddy System: Building Bonds and Trust

To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, we set up a buddy system. Each staff member was responsible for two children, staying by their side throughout the trip, ready to listen and offer guidance whenever needed. This system allowed each child to feel seen, heard, and supported. We also had a “call and response” protocol in place where each person had a number to call out in sequence, ensuring no one was missing. This simple system fostered a sense of security for the kids, especially in new environments, and allowed them to share any feelings or concerns that arose. But despite the structured system, children could still interact freely with other staff members, adding to the close-knit and family-like feel of our group.

A Warm Welcome to South Africa: History, Sunshine, and a Sensory Experience

As we arrived in South Africa, we were greeted by a warm, sun-drenched landscape and a comforting, earthy scent—a mix of sun-baked soil and fragrant wild herbs. The weather was hot, filling us with a sense of summer adventure, which was perfectly fitting for the transformative experiences we were about to have.

Our first major stop was the iconic Mandela House in Soweto. The atmosphere was heavy with history yet filled with hope and pride. Walking through Nelson Mandela’s home was like stepping back in time. The walls echoed with the resilience of a man who fought tirelessly for freedom and equality. The kids listened intently, absorbing the stories of his life, understanding his legacy, and realizing the depth of the struggle against apartheid. This was further deepened with our visit to the Apartheid Museum, where interactive exhibits helped them grasp the painful past and appreciate the progress that has since been made.

Botswana: A Journey into Nature and Culture

After our time in South Africa, we made our way to Botswana, a land of open skies, vibrant landscapes, and warm, welcoming people. Our camp was nestled in nature, surrounded by wildlife like ostriches, deer, giraffes, and even a resident tortoise. This immersion in nature was unlike anything the children had experienced before, and it brought out a curiosity and calmness in them that was beautiful to witness.

The camp followed a “no phone” policy, which could have been a challenge for teens accustomed to constant connection. But to our surprise, they embraced the break from technology, fully engaging with the experience around them. The children took part in team-building activities, pushing them out of their comfort zones and encouraging friendships with other kids from Botswana. They were laughing, playing football, and sharing stories a beautiful reminder of how universal the language of joy and friendship truly is.

Connecting with Culture: Language, Food, and New Friendships

One of the most enriching aspects of the trip was how deeply the children connected with Botswana’s culture. From learning phrases in Setswana to trying local foods, they embraced it all. Setswana, with its lyrical tones, echoed in the laughter and conversations around camp, and the kids quickly picked up a few phrases. This immersion into a new language and way of life allowed them to grow in confidence and adaptiveness. They tasted traditional dishes and appreciated the flavours that were new to them, savouring the opportunity to understand another culture from the inside.

Visiting Baratani Primary School in Botswana was an unforgettable experience that touched our hearts. We had the incredible opportunity to meet the children. Our young people read to the students, fostering a beautiful connection through storytelling and shared curiosity. The children’s enthusiasm was contagious, especially when we all gathered for a football match. It was eye-opening for our young people to see the students play football barefoot on the hot ground, our young people offered their socks to them and trainers. Nevertheless, the students said they were okay. Our young people gifted the students with tennis balls, footballs, coloured pencils, reading books and activity books. The students were extremely grateful, it was a privilege to be a part of their day.

Watching Them Bloom: Moments of Growth and Connection

The trip was truly “out of this world,” as each young person flourished in unique ways. They came alive in nature, showing sides of themselves that we hadn’t seen before. They laughed openly, shared their thoughts freely, and were just…kids. Free from worries, they embraced the freedom of being in a safe, loving environment. Their smiles and laughter were the highlights of each day.

One moment that particularly touched me was when a staff member from Botswana asked one of our girls whether I was her mother? She told them, “Yes, she’s my mum.” She came and told me this and hugged me this meant the world to me. I have been mentoring her since she was ten, and now, at thirteen, this little gesture reminded me how impactful these bonds are. It was a beautiful, heartwarming acknowledgement of the relationship we’d built over time.

A Team Effort with Lasting Impact

This trip was the result of a remarkable team effort. Mark Pomell and Sita Alexander were instrumental in bringing this experience to life. Without their vision, dedication, and hard work, this journey wouldn’t have been possible. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Ascent Fostering team, working alongside passionate individuals dedicated to helping young people grow and discover the world around them.

As we returned home, I could see the change in each child a newfound confidence, a deeper understanding of the world, and memories they’ll carry for a lifetime. This journey has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I look forward to continuing to help our youth discover their potential and understand that the world is as big, beautiful, and full of possibilities as they are.

By Alanah Wampamba, Placement Support Worker

If you would like to find out more about fostering and the amazing difference you could make in a young persons life. Give usa call on 0203 757 0070 or click HERE to receive a call back. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have on fostering and take you through the process.

We believe in making a real difference to the children we work with, however, this only is achieved through us ‘walking in their shoes’ and being alongside them on their journey. Therefore, in light of our approach and values, our focus is supporting children to feel a sense of belonging, be a part of a family, and develop a safe relationship with their primary carer, the wider family and then network. Through having fundamental opportunities to form safe, meaningful and trusted relationships, we believe our children can be successful in all their endeavours.
Therefore, whilst we have many success stories of our children who are excelling well in their academic studies, or other tangible areas such as health or the fact that all our children are engaged in one extracurricular activity, success to us may not always be conventional or in line with how outcomes are usually measured.

• A young person calling the foster carers’ SSW and wanting to show off his blue hair because he has a relationship with the SSW and is proud of himself and his new style
• Children and young people attending the workshops Ascent has facilitated on sexual health, healthy and unhealthy relationships
• Our children and young people form meaningful and trusting relationships with their mentors where clear goals are set together for their future hopes and aspirations
• A foster carer sharing how they are implementing a new therapeutic strategy in supervision and the positive impact it has had on their relationship with their young person
• A child and carer showing claiming behaviours to one another for example; them choosing how to address one another such as ‘Mum2’ and ‘son’
• Our SSW connects with our children by playing tennis, baking, or playing music together
• Children feel a sense of belonging and are visibly present in the home, through personalising their room, seeing their photos around the home or owning a door key
• Children wanting to seek appropriate affection or receive nurturing experiences from their foster carers such as cuddles before bedtime, a carer washing and plaiting a child’s hair, having ‘snack and chat’ after school
• We have many carer leavers who have maintained contact with the agency and their foster carers
• Our placement stability remains over 90%, whilst many of our children and young people have faced several changes in placement before joining an Ascent family
• A carer acknowledging when they are struggling and wanting to reach out for support and as a collective, we think out of the box to support them
• Success looks like a child who has refused to engage with CAMHS is talking to our therapist during a session in a car or a cafe
• Children having opportunities to interact and engage in normal family life such as attending family BBQs, parties, events
• Foster carers creating a Santas grotto during COVID so that a mother and her son can still experience their annual Winter Wonderland experience resulting in positive family time