I am Lawrence. I am 29 years of age. I am from Punavasal, an agricultural village in the district of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. I was an agricultural worker and now I am the National Secretary and full-timer of YCW India.

Vince and I participated in the Asia Pacific regional exchange and Full-timers training from 25th August to 4th September 2007 held in Manila, Philippines. I am happy to share with you my experiences what I learned from these programs.

The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of IYCW was good and motivating. The delegates from Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka presented the actions. I presented the reality of workers in the informal sector in India and the actions for the wage increase in Melatur and Kumbakonam. I was happy about the presentation.

During the training session, I could learn the role and the work of the full-timer is to collect the actions happening at the base groups, to support in the planning of the actions, to share the situation of the base groups to the national team, to evaluate the base group actions in the national team, to motivate the base groups to implement the national plan of action, to support the district team in its planning and coordination and to motivate young workers to take actions through raising small questions and the strategies to be used in organising groups and developing actions. I learnt the importance of using Review of Life and Worker Action (ROLWA), one militant, one base group and one action to train leaders. I learnt the importance of See – Judge – Act process in developing the actions. I raised many questions and clarifications to know more about the above aspects

During the faith celebration we showed the way we celebrate our faith through our Indian cultural symbols. I learnt the culture, language and the different food system of other countries.

I was very happy to animate the evaluation session of program. It was indeed a good experience for me. I animated this session in English for 1 hour and 45 minutes. That was my first experience to speak in English in such a gathering. I developed my confidence and this experience motivated me to improve my English skill.

We developed the following plan of action for YCW India for the next 1 ½ years in this program:

• To strive for one militant, one base group and one action
  
• To train 3 leaders
  
• To organise 6 new groups
  
• To develop 3 actions

I will put into practice in my work as a full-timer and the elements that I learnt from this program

K. Lawrence
National Secretary and full-timer
YCW India