Chris & Ruth

Travel information

We are currently

Activities we are interested in:

We are currently in Uganda setting up Educational projects in the local community. Working with teenagers introducing them to Engineering drawings and basic welding skills.

Description

Chris
62!!! Why aren’t I home taking it easy and watching TV? Well after many years of working, bringing up my children and paying the bills, I finally have the opportunity to explore the world. I’m still a big kid and love to challenge myself, I run, keep fit and recently completed a Triathlon in the UK. Traveling the world on a budget is another challenge, my partner and I have given up our jobs and rented out our home.
I enjoy adventure and finding the unexpected, I’m curious to find out what’s around the next corner. I value honesty, the ability to emphasise and to be non-judgmental, these qualities I believe have been important in my work with disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
I believe that everyone has an individual skill and ability that will enable them to be successful, sadly many do not have the opportunity to discover this. I would love to play a part in creating futures for those who are disadvantaged around the world.
With age comes a great deal of work and life experience, I haven’t always worked in education and have work skills gained in the creative, manufacturing, customer service, transport, construction and manufacturing industries.
I’m a creative thinker, I don’t mind physical work and happy to try anything.
Ruth
I might be 56 but I completed my first triathlon this year so am physically fit and full of life.
Travelling the world on a budget is a challenge, my partner and I have given up our jobs and rented out our home. Looking to give up every day routine and comforts we become so accustomed to and to have a more fulfilling life with challenges, excitement and experiences along the way.
Why do I want to do this, I like to make a difference, I have achieved this in my job by inspiring young people to be the best they can and believing in themselves, but want new challenges in a different environment, so here we are.
At present we are in Uganda working with a charity assisting young people to have the skills to gain employment by learning basic welding skills, technical drawing, inter-personal skills, English and Math.
I have been working in Education for the past 16 years teaching Engineering in a College environment, my key interest is working with students with challenging needs both educationally and behaviourally. I have been a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) ambassador and have worked with various schools and groups promoting STEM jobs to girls from primary to secondary education by running clubs, assembly talks and just making these subjects fun. I believe in providing equal opportunities for girls to be successful in their chosen careers.
I have worked in the Engineering industry prior to going into education and I am not scared of hard work or getting my hands dirty love a challenge and excited about the future.

We have recently returned from East Africa where we worked with schools and orphanages.
Right now we are traveling across France and Spain towards Morocco and would love to help with any projects along the way.

Languages spoken

English: Fluent

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Life at a Farmstay

Languages

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

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Able to teach about:  

General Maintenance

Art Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

More details about your skills

Over the years we have both gained a wide range of skills. It would be easier to list them under categories along with some information.
Education.
We have both been working in education for the past 14 years Chris has specialised in youth work, mentoring and special educational needs. Ruth is a qualified teacher who has been working in the further education sector as a lecturer then progressing to become Faculty Head of Engineering.
Chris gained a basic qualification in teaching while working with underprivileged children and young people from the local community, most of whom had difficulty accessing mainstream education. He helped set up and manage alternative education programs and worked with schools and local authorities throughout the county of Kent. Chris continued working with children and young people in an independent SEN school, then more recently in mainstream further education at Mid Kent College.
Ruth has lectured in Engineering for many years and is keen to encourage females into the sector. Ruth is passionate about promoting equal opportunities for girls, this is a result of her experience being the sole female in a male dominate work place. Ruth is a stem STEM ambassador (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) she worked with local schools, both primary and secondary, running projects to inspire young people. This was achieved by making these subjects fun and relevant while promoting careers in the engineering sector. Ruth continues to use her position to give females a positive role model.

Safeguarding has always been a priority, all the organisations we have worked for have provided the highest and most up to date safeguarding training.
Practical Skills
Chris
I’ve learnt a wide range of practical skills, many of which I learnt from my Father who was a builder. Working on construction sites gave me a good understanding of health and safety along with learning some basic building skills. I have also gained maintenance skills from being a property owner and landlord. These include painting and decorating, repairs and basic plumbing.
I spent a period of time working for an engineering company who specialised in fabrication and maintaining factory machinery.
I studied Technical Graphics at college, this was followed by a career in the Graphics and Print industry. This office base position included the preparation of artwork for printing, layout and design, administration, customer service and managing a team of illustrators.
I have worked as an office temp and account manager. This required a need to be computer literate, have some marketing skills and good customer service.
Ruth
I have a wide range of practical skills as have worked in varies disciplines within the Aerospace Engineering sector these include Electronics, Mechanical and Welding. Within all these roles I have worked on various computer systems and I am computer literate. As part of my position within Aerospace and Education I have worked with other agencies both home and abroad and being personable and have a good customer relations
Within my working life I have been an HGV armoured truck driver
I have renovated a house so I am confident to put my hand to most things.
I have a broad range of practical skills, many of these were gained from working in a variety of disciplines within the Aerospace Engineering sector. These include Electronics, welding, Mechanical Engineering and computer systems. Within both Education and the Aerospace industry I worked with other agencies and built good relationships across a wide range of stake holders.
I have also had the experience of renovating property, racing powerboats and driving HGV armoured trucks. I’m quite versatile and confident to try most things.

Age

64 & 58

What else ...

We are keen on maintaining our health a fitness and encourage others to do the same. We like to use a gym when one is available, we both enjoy running and swimming and recently completed our first Triathlon, we are also members of a Krav Maga (self defence) club in England.

Our interest in other cultures is part of our motivation to travel the world and hopefully use our knowledge and experience to help disadvantaged people. Part of this journey will be made by motorcycle, motorcycling has always been a great interests and we are both motorcyclists. We also enjoy Radio, cinema and reading.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Ruth - oranges & seafood

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  Special dietary requirements