Leyah Sophie Hansen-Elgueta is 19 years old and was born and raised in Kristiansand. She is social, loves people and feels that everyday life is meaningful if she can help others. This year she is a student on the Africa Aid/Culture course.

Tell about yourself!
In my spare time I like to do various creative hobbies such as making jewellery, sewing and baking. I enjoy reading and being social with friends and family. I value spending time with those I love.

After completing my studies specialization in upper secondary school, I was unsure of what to do. I wanted a year off, but thought it might be a bit boring to just work for a long time. The thought of doing something more meaningful and educational made me look for other solutions. I was interested in the idea of ​​folk college a few years back, but pushed it away for a while because I heard a lot of prejudice against folk college. As the end of school approached, I had to make a decision.

Several of my colleagues had attended folk university and spoke only positively about it. All had good experiences and recommended taking a year at folk college. So I ended up doing it too. I am really happy about that. There are so many nice and different people from all over the country (and the world) at school and we learn a lot. We come up with so many social things and have a lot of fun. I was completely disproved by the prejudices I had heard and was a little afraid of myself. I recommend everyone to go to folk college. You get so much out of it and meet such great people.

When I had to look for which school and course I wanted to go to, I quickly found out that I wanted to do something based on something I had an interest in. I've never had anything I'm particularly good at, such as sports. Therefore, I knew that I wanted to follow a line that involved something that I enjoyed and included some form of people and solidarity. When I looked at the various folk high schools, I found Afrika Bistand/Kultur at Elverum very interesting. It seemed like a fun and exciting line that did a lot of new and educational things.

Learning and immersing oneself in other cultures and gaining a good understanding is something I have always liked. Africa is a continent I have never been to that I wanted to learn more about and would very much like to travel to. The content on the line was perfect for me. I learn a lot, go outside my comfort zone and get to contribute a lot.

How did you become interested in aid/solidarity?
I'm a little unsure of how and when I became interested in it. For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed helping others and feel that what I do adds value to others. My grandfather is a first generation refugee from Chile. I have always looked up to him because he himself fled to Norway to get better and give a better life to his children. Therefore, I have always felt that it has been important to help others who do not have the same opportunities as we have in Norway.

What is your relationship with Africa and Uganda/Kenya?
Before I started on the line, I had no personal connection to Africa, other than that I have several friends from different countries around the continent. It's one of the continents I haven't been to yet that I really wanted to go to. After I started on the line, I have gained a more personal relationship with the continent. More specifically, Uganda and Kenya, which are the countries we will travel to.

We have worked and learned a lot about the countries through documentaries and discussions we have had throughout the year. We have worked with the aid projects the school has in Kasese and we have worked actively on collecting money and how to use it. As Geir says:

"You should feel a sense of belonging to this because this is yours. The whole class participates and owns and contributes to our project"

Geir Prøven, teacher at Afrika Standand/Kultur

What is a typical day like on the line?
The line is very varied, so it is difficult to answer what a typical day is. We often watch documentaries and short films related to the history of Africa and discuss them and their content. This way we learn a lot and see things from different perspectives.

We work with active assistance throughout the year. Both in the form of our projects in Kasese, but also locally in Elverum. Every week we are "friends in everyday life" where we stand up at primary schools/kindergartens and at old people's homes to talk to the young and the old. We are simply a friend in everyday life. Being with a friend in everyday life has really made an impression. I have had so many good conversations with both adults and children. The children at the primary school glow every time we enter the classroom. The way they come running to give hugs while excitedly wanting to talk to you and play together at recess is absolutely amazing. It is a highlight of the week when we meet the children.

Even the elderly are so happy when we come to visit. It means so much to them and they appreciate young people visiting so much. The visits contribute to so many good conversations for both us and them. They get so happy and talk about their lives and what they have done and experienced when we are so interested in listening to what they have to say. After each old people's home and school visit, I am left with a good feeling and the minibus on the way back to school is filled with laughter and enthusiasm when we tell about our visitors. We often have a good laugh and lots of good stories.

In addition, we come up with things with "Kompis" in collaboration with the Red Cross, where we are together with refugees and come up with fun activities such as a trampoline park and bowling. One thing you can't escape is our teacher Geir's many good storytelling.

What are your plans after folk high school?
I'm still a little unsure of what my plans are. It may be that I postpone my studies a little longer and come up with something in the meantime. Maybe a job or maybe doing voluntary work. We have visited several companies that do this and it was very nice and inspiring.

Something very nice about this line is that you get the opportunity to go down to Kasese again and do voluntary work if you wish, after the school year is over. It may be that I make use of it, but it is something I intend to look into. When it comes to further education and profession, I have not yet decided what I want to be. At least I want to work with people because it means so much to me to be able to help others.