Silves Rotary club members and guests were amazed at the confidence on display by the students who had attended the Model United Nations meeting in South Manchester UK in October.

The students attended their two-day event last October along with 300+ students from other schools around the U.K. and Netherlands. Although they were overwhelmed at first by the end of the first day, they were holding their own in the committee’s discussing such important issues as child labour, human trafficking and the global migration problem.  During that time their English language improved significantly, their confidence and self-esteem blossomed and by the start of the second day they were on equal terms.

The students thanked club members for making the trip possible and said how much it had changed their lives.

The two teachers who travelled with the students were amazed by the improvement in confidence and language and hoped that the club will be able to arrange further visits in the years to come.

It was great to see the students talk so confidently in front of an entirely adult audience. Alan Winn who leads the Education Projects for Rotary Silves asked the students a few questions. Answers, Yes they would like to go again! Yes they are still in contact with other students they met ant the conference and “Fish and Chips!”

Diretor Carlos Silva of the Agrupamento de Escolas de SilvesSul,  thanked members for the support they give to the school and said working in partnership and friendship has made a difference over many years to the pupils of the school.

Rotarians agreed that it was one of the best rotary meetings they have attended.