50 Years, 50 Faces: Funmilola

50 Years, 50 Faces: Funmilola

“My name is Funmilola. Currently, I live in Telford with my family. My interests are: to read books, to cook, to go for a walk, to swim and to travel to adventurous places. My background is of the African ethnic group; I’m a Nigerian to be precise.

I found out about The Renewal Programme in August 2015, as my friend recommended their services to me.

The organisation showed me positivity, love, productivity and empowerment; they enabled me as I was given the supportive platform to be empowered to attain some of the necessary educational qualifications I needed in the UK. I was directed and supported with great collaborations of the Director of Training and Education and some lovely tutors to take up a tutoring sessions (conversation classes for ESOL learners) while attending CPDs and also, was mentored to applied for my CELTA programme with Newham College.

It was a glorious journey for me to have passed through The Renewal Programme in my lifetime. Academically, career-wisely, and inclusively (I am an immigrant) I have achieved in the midst of elite, fun-to-be-with service givers who turned to be senior colleagues and friends. I gained the dignity, confidence and knowledge of a tutor and I have been offered a tutoring position with my local authority to develop people’s potentials in our community.

I feel most connected to the Training and Education project as it was the project I interacted with the most; starting with my learning journey and ending as a volunteer.

The interaction and communication is always great and respectfully mutual within the organisation. I felt listened to by Louise Vera and Ruth Bravery.”