peter
2/2 “My mother has had a problem with alcohol for a long time now. She used to fight with everyone in the house. I was the youngest so when everyone left, she had no one to fight but me. I’ve been kicked out many times, even in winter. I was only twelve and I didn’t have anywhere to go. There were times I really needed someone but no one seemed to know or care what was happening. So I never really thought about my future then. My reality was based on a day to day existence. I thought I’d be unemployed just like everyone else around me. The real turning point was when I got an opportunity to travel to the Netherlands. I was surrounded by such a different culture and people with completely different mind-sets. It was eye opening. And it was the first time in my life I imagined a different future. After I returned, I started trying to network myself and be around people who know how to invest and know about technology, or anything I wanted to learn. A guy from the place I volunteer at told me about the Care Leavers Network, and later introduced me to the CEO, Wayne. I told him about my plans and my knowledge, and he said we could do some work together. Now I have a job working as a Social Media and Digital Marketing Manager!”
-This interview is part of a collaborative campaign between Humans of Dublin and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, speaking to social entrepreneurs across the country about what drives them and seeing the impact they are having in communities around Ireland. Find out more about how you can apply for funding and support for your idea or project and help change Ireland here: Social Entrepreneurs Ireland #ChangingIreland –