Young Voices

Hi, my name is Oisín Bowyer. I'm thirteen years old and I'm a member of The Epicentre Foróige club in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. I first got involved with Foróige a year ago when I was twelve and I can remember the day when a Regional Youth Officer and Club Leader came to my national school and made a presentation about Foróige as an organisation. From that day on I knew I wanted to get involved!On those cold September nights I'd go along to the club after school. It really helped me to relax, forget about school and life's worries. Foróige for me was my own little haven and still is to this day.

When people say to me “What is Albert?” , my whole inside warms up with joy and happiness but also with frustration. I know I will never be able to describe the amazing, life- changing experience we call Albert. It’s indescribable! However I am going to do my level best to try describe it here.

My name is Adrienne Walsh and I’m a member of Kitimagh Foróige Club and also FAYZ Foróige club in Mayo. I have been a member of Foróige for the past five years. It’s only been in the past few years that I have really understood the opportunities Foróige has to offer. In September 2011, I was elected Chairperson of my Foróige Club. Now as I was on the committee it was my responsibility to attend officer training and regional conferenceS representing my Club.

Let me take you to a place where you have all been before; where in fact most of you spend your day to day lives. An enclosed space with nothing more than a table, chair, pen and paper and a voice. The voice usually drones on for lengthy periods of time, telling you what to do, telling you what you must know. After the voice has spoken it’s your turn, you are told to take the pen and paper and repeat exactly what the voice has just said, only in writing.