Testimonials

“Tremendous thanks for giving us all such a meaningful weekend. I reveled in the young people’s upbeat feelings, and was so touched by how they want to work for change and good. Thank you for reminding us that it is never too late to have a happy childhood.”
Kate Fleming
Participant in LifeBeat Training (UK)

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in such an incredible training. I learned so much about myself as a facilitator and human being. I want to get involved in the children’s
camps in Uganda!”
L’Erin Asantewaa
Participant in Heart of Facilitation Training, Seattle WA (USA)

“Upon completion of the first facilitation training, I took what you taught me and created a wonderful project that has been a huge success! I’ve accomplished things I never thought I could do. Now that I’ve completed the second facilitation training, I have so many ideas and thoughts about projects that I’m starting to scare myself!
Rakhi Mutta
Toronto, ON (Canada)

“My vision is that more and more young people in Uganda will be empowered by programs that go to the heart of the matter: building self worth, supporting each other, and gaining the skills to maintain health and make something powerful with their lives. My participation in PYE and the Creative Facilitation Team shows me that so much is possible.”
Bukenya Lewis Denis
Naguru Teen Health and Information, Kampala (Uganda)

“I have been working in the youth field for approximately 20 years and have seen many facilitators. Quite frankly, you are, without question, the “best” facilitators I have ever experienced. You add a feeling component that is empowering and embracing. It is something that I wish to incorporate into my world of facilitation.”
Gord Kurzynski
Manager, Youth Directorate, Executive Council Office Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada)

“We want to let you know how much the knowledge and wisdom you shared with us contributed to the development of the Dream It. Do It. Challenge, which is now piloting in Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York! The activities that you taught us have become a key component of the daily community-building efforts of the Challenge. The retreat you hosted with Youth Venture staff in April helped us come together more strongly around our new program focus and delve deeply into the experience we want to provide for youth. Thank you for the work that you do!”
US Youth Venture Staff

I deeply appreciated the hands-on experience in the presentation. These were tools I could learn and take away right away. They showed us in action about the power of creating community simply and elegantly in just a few minutes. This was a very powerful and enjoyable session and I will be able to use these things right away. Wow!”
Workshop Participant
2007 Pegasus Conference, Seattle WA (USA)

“My cells are still resonating with the inspiration, grace, and potency of my week at camp. I am humbled and awed by my fellow volunteers and of course by the youth. I have never worked for an organization with a vision so closely aligned with my values and hopes for young people. Your programme is a real blessing to the teens that drink from this nourishing well as well as for those of us privileged enough to be part of the staff team.”
Eliza Kenyon
Volunteer at LifeBeat Camp 2008, London (UK)

“Mohamed and Ali came back and did a youth advisory panel with us. They couldn't stop talking about the camp and what they did. They met some new friends and were on their way to meet up with them in Hyde Park after the panel. They have never been there before! Thanks again for this opportunity. We’d like to send more youth next year as well as members of our staff to be trained in this model.”
Kelvin Cheung
Staff Member, MYBnk youth social entrepreneur programme, London (UK)

“We so enjoyed our days with you and feel a renewed sense of excitement and possibility around our new program model. I can’t wait to look at all the materials and start integrating and adapting. I was shocked at how many of the activities were completely new to me, so you can imagine my excitement at adding so many new things to my personal toolbox!”
Spectra
Staff Member of Youth Venture, US

“Just a quick note to let you know the ongoing and far-reaching effects of your work. I attended a facilitation workshop several years ago, and am consulting (not for the first time) the handouts and my memories as I try to figure out creative group activities for our upcoming Middle School program here at the Library. It is great to re-visit those materials as I plan upcoming programs related to our Summer Library Program theme of Express Yourself @ your Library. I'm guessing you could market your workshops with great success to the youth librarian world!”
Pad McCracken
Helena, MT (USA)

“If you would have described what we were going to do I might not have attended this workshop, thinking it might be too light weight for me, but was I wrong! It showed us beyond a doubt creative ways to bring people together, to bond almost instantly, and overcome barriers of race, age and walk of life. In the end we were able to compose several stunning spontaneous collaborative poems and sing in harmony together. I would not have believed it!”
Workshop Participant
2007 Pegasus Conference, Seattle WA (USA)

"I met Charlie when I attended the Lifebeat workshop that he facilitated in London in March 2009.  Charlie's skill, knowledge and passion for empowering people created a magical dynamic within the multicultural group that enabled me to move on in my own life and regain confidence and enthusiasm for working in group facilitation.  I often think back to those 2 magic days and find myself looking forward to running a group so I can incorporate Charlie's games."
Sally Relton Shakespeare
LifeBeat Workshop, UK

Two Stories from Uganda

Anna
Both of Anna’s parents died of AIDS and she became infected at an early age. She lives with her aunt in the Acholi quarter, one of the poorest slums in Kampala. Six months after a five-day camp intensive her Aunt says, “Camp changed Anna. Now she believes she will live a much longer life and she is no longer depressed all the time or afraid to take her medication at school in front of the other children.”

Rose
Rose, 18, was infected by a family member and came close to death before she started taking AIDS drugs. When she attended her first camp she discovered what a good listener she is and found a passion for helping others. In 2008, she completed both a computer course and training as a counselor and is now fully employed. She also serves on staff at PYE Global programs.