Cambrian News, 4 Hydref 2007
'Ysgol Botwnnog students top literary competition'
STUDENTS at Ysgol Botwnnog came out tops in a literary competition which was held by GISDA last year.
As part of the competition, pupils were instructed to write short pieces of literature which concentrated on one of two themes; homelessness or loneliness.
The winning entries of the competition have now been published in a book by Gisda which was launched at their annual general meeting last week.
"We were very pleased that the pupils did so well in the competition"
said Geraint Hughes, Deputy Headmaster of Ysgol Botwnnog. "All the participants felt strongly about the issue of homelessness in Wales and wanted people to realise that it is as much of a problem in rural areas as it is in cities. By entering the competition, we wanted to raise the profile of Gisdae and the work that it does."
GISDA is an organisation with charitable status which that provides help and support the young and homeless in Gwynedd. Organizors received over a 150 entries for the competition which was judged by Karen Owen, editor of Welsh magazine Golwg. Elliw Gwyn Roberts won the year eight to nine category whilst Laura Stewart Jones prevailed in the year ten to thirteen category of the competition.
Both pupils were from Ysgol Botwnnog.
Speaking about the competition, Assistant Officer to GISDA's Chief Executive Sian Owen said: "The work that we received from Ysgol Botwnnog was of an exceptionally high standard. The whole incentive has had a very positive effect on GISDA and the pupils should be very proud of all the work they entered."
The book featuring a the best entries of the competition is now available in libraries across Gwynedd.
by Dion Jones - Cambrian News
Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald, Medi 2007
‘Homeless people’s charity comes of age'
WHAT a year it has been for a Gwynedd homeless charity - who reflected on their 21st year in an annual meeting this week.
GISDA has come a long way since it was set up in 1985 and opened the first hostel in Caernarfon in 1989.
A recent meeting at Felinwnda Hall focussed on the future of the charity, now that it has come of age - which included spreading the aims of GISDA, the launch of their new website and distributing a booklet of touching poetry from local secondary schools.
The highlight of Monday’s event, was a theatre forum performance from some of the local GISDA users, led by Osian Ellis, who performed a real life scenario.
Sian Owen from GISDA said: “The theatre forum is also knows as Theatre of the Oppressed and it involves the youngsters acting out a scene familiar to them and the audience helping sorting out problems that they have often had to deal wit.”
This play saw a young boy struggle with family life, witness domestic abuse and alcoholism and face bullying and a lack of care as he is thrown out of his home at 16 and ends up at the homeless centre, where he experiences bullying and a lack of understanding from fellow school pupils.
The audience were then asked to get involved, stopping the re-run of the performance to change it and solve various dilemmas.
It also involved members of the public including councillor Seimon Glyn get up and do a bit of acting themselves!
Those at the event were able to take a look at the new website and booklet.
Secretary Mair Richards said: “The website is an important focal point for any organisation these days.
“It comes in two parts - one for other agencies to learn about what we do and the second which is important to the young people themselves.”
The booklet was praised for its touching contributions sent in after the 21st birthday celebrations in autumn last year and 150 pieces of works from schools across the county poured in and were praised by Golwg’s Karen Owen.
Theatre forum director, Osian Ellis summed up the issues that young people here in Gwynedd and all over the country face, when it comes to homelessness.
He said: “The aim of this performance and the audience involvement is to highlight the stigma that these young people endure, which is extra pressures they face in addition to the baggage they already carry.”
The webpage, launched on Monday, can be found at: www.gisda.org.
The booklet has been distributed to schools and contributors in Gwynedd and is hoped to reach libraries soon.
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