Meet The Execs: Becki Morris

This is Becki Morris, the PR Executive in her final year of Sheffield University.

Name and course?

Becki. Business management. I love my course. I don’t even know why.

What have you been most passionate about since joining? 

The HOPE project is such a big part of Enactus Sheffields portfolio, so like many other members it was that project that stole my heart. There was also such a lovely sense of community throughout all the HOPE members across the different projects; and I think that meant everyone could support each other, which is what made the projects so good. 

Favourite cartoon character?

Hello Kitty! Does that count? All of my stationary/hair accessories are hello kitty. 

How many photos are you tagged in on facebook?

Five thousand, five hundred and forty five. Okay it’s a lot, but it’s probably not as many as the HR director! I used to have a phobia of not photo documenting my life, but now I’m not sure if millions of selfies have done that really… 

Do you have a favourite outfit?

The outfit I wear every single day of the week consists of floral leggings, a white top and plimsolls. Its third year and Enactus keeps me too busy to dress well! 

What do you think of Enactus competition?

I think the competition is healthy to make sure all the teams around the globe are driving their projects forward and constantly trying to think of new ways to solve the problems of those in need. Also this year I was amaaaazed when Enactus Southampton came second at the global competition, that’s the first time a UK team has even placed in the final! Exciting stuff. My dream is to make it to world cup this year!

Favourite drink?

I drink about 4 litres of water a day. And therefore I pee a lot. 

What are you listening to most at the moment?

I’ve started baking cupcakes for my flatmates. They’re all boys so I need to bribe them into hovering. Anyway, my point is during this baking I’ve been listening to Fleet Foxes on repeat as it relaxes me.  And I don’t think I’ve been a day without listening to a Bonobo track in about 3 years. 

What do you do in the evenings?

Most of the time I hang around with my housemates, snack on things, laugh at the television and then go to bed. Occasionally I go out, drink loads of redbull and dance like mad til 6am... friends have described my dancing as looking like I'm "swimming into the floor"... uh oh. Or I'll go walking in the dark as the cold feels nice but people generally refuse to come with me.

Human Trafficking: A reversal in society?

In this blog post, the international project director, Bethan, introduces us to some shocking facts about the industry that is human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.[1] Men, women and children are tricked, lured and stolen across borders into some of the worst situations imaginable. Some are trafficked for prostitution, and forced to have sex with up to 30 customers a day[2]. Some are trafficked for labour and can be forced to work sixteen hour days in back braking labour for no pay. Others are trafficked for domestic slavery, where they are abused by a household in which they are not paid. In possibly some of the worst cases, humans are trafficked for organs, often dying in the process.

Two decades ago, human trafficking was rarely heard of. Today, it is acknowledged as one of modern societies major problems, not leaving one country untouched in some respect.[3] The following is a personal reflection of modern day slavery through my own experiences of working with survivors.

In my first year of University my flatmates started volunteering in a safe house that looked after survivors of human trafficking. This was my first ever exposure to the issue and I did not understand it. As a history undergraduate, I was of course aware of slavery, but only in the context of the past. A year later, I became a member of a student organisation called Enactus which exists to catalyse social change through entrepreneurial action.[4] Within Enactus I was part of a new project working with City Hearts, a safe house in Sheffield who looks after survivors of human trafficking in the short term, providing rehabilitation care.[5] We began working with the women, teaching them entrepreneurial skills around the model of a jewellery business.
Whilst working within this project I became close to some of the women, and heard some of their stories. It was at this point that the very human realities of trafficking set in for me. Working with women who cannot look you in the eye and flinch whenever you come near is a difficult experience. Hearing stories of young women trafficked at the age of 12 and impregnated at the age of 13 is harrowing, and working with women who have been locked up and not allowed outside for years exposes you, none to gently, to the realities of this world for some people within it. Equally, seeing some of the young African women terrified of a black magic that their traffickers had performed on -them, and at a high risk of re-trafficking because of it, is an almost uncomprehendable situation. Seeing the positive impact of the project on these women was rewarding, but the realities of trafficking had set in, and they were there to stay.

 We abolished the slave trade once and now put human rights at the very centre of our development. The modern world is no place for slavery, or is it?"

---

[1] FE Okonofua, SM Ogbomwan, AN Alutu, O Kufre, A Eghosa, ‘Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of sex trafficking by young women in Benin City, South-South Nigeria’ Soc Sci Med (2006), p.179.

[2] http://www.stopthetraffik.org/the-scale-of-human-traffiking [date accessed: 27/09/13]

[3] Kim Namhee, Gary Mclean, Stephanie Mace, Donal Venneberg, James Amell, ‘Human Trafficking’ Advances in Developing Human Resources (2012) p.336.

[4] www.enactussheffield.org [date accessed: 28/09/13].

[5] http://www.city-hearts.co.uk/ [date accessed 24/09/13].

The first Enactus social!!!

Its previously been mentioned that Enactus don't hold the best socials. Fair enough. But not any more!! This year we're planning to work hard AND play hard! Our first Enactus social this year was to Pop Tarts at the union with a "come as you are" theme. Here is a few snaps from the night...

Enactus Sheffield Training Weekend

Training Day was a wonderfully long day with only one major flaw; a lack of hot drinks. however, amidst the confusion of when to clap, throw a ball and jump over toxic waste; friendships were formed, trust was made and teams were built. A successful day for all, despite the friendly fire during our four corners session, where our MD, Caroline, put us creative thinkers to the test by pushing our very obvious buttons. 

Everyone arrived tired and miserable but left happy and enthused. Training sessions from ex-HR Lauren got the teams bonding and thinking on the same page, while some creative members found ways to blow other teams out of the water in the 'toxic waste' task. Experienced members (and past members) such as Leanne gave motivating workshops, which really got the members engaged. Some teams had the chance to critically evaluate their projects through a number of exercises, meaning members not only understood their projects better, but also knew what the must do to push them forward.

 

Side Effects Included: A sore throat (from speaking a bit too much), Tired eyes (it was en extremely long day, let's not kid ourselves), and a permanent smile. 

Meet The Execs: Nora Alturki

Meet Nora Alturki, Project Director of the Foster Care project. Nora always has A LOT to say, but here's a little insight into her life in just 11 questions... (I only asked her 8).

Name and Course? 

 Nora Alturki Level 2 (year 2) Bsc Psychology 

What Project did you work in when you joined ENACTUS? 

I worked in HOPE community as a mentor. It was one of the best experiences having rightly earned the 3rd most emotional time in my life. 

What else are you involved in at university? 

 Thankfully, I am involved in a whole lot: I am currently a Departmental Mentor, and International Office Ambassador, as well as a Media and Publicity rep for the International Students Committee. I have also just recently joined the Singers Society, which has put my incredibly loud voice to good use. 

Comfiest shoes you own? 

I have flat feet (it’s a thing, I promise. Google will tell you) so none of my shoes are that comfortable to begin with. I am most comfortable without shoes. However, given that the weather as well as the general public would not be happy with me walking around barefoot I’d have to say my pair of Doc Martens, which I’ve just recently broken into. They were not comfortable at first but now, now they fit me like a glove that’s half a size too big. Jo. 

What did you have for breakfast today? 

Well, I woke up at an ungodly hour to make myself an onion and baby spinach frittata with a side bowl of vanilla yogurt and a banana. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - don’t judge me. 
 

Tell us about your current role at Enactus?

 I am currently project director of one of our local projects, working with Foster Care Leavers. Most foster care leavers are not given enough support and/or guidance once they leave care; and we are looking to change that. 

What would your ideal day be? 

At this moment right now, my ideal day would consist of sleep. But on any other day, it would be sleep. All the sleep. 

What website do you refresh the most often? 

Reddit. If you’ve never heard of it, which I doubt, but if you haven’t don’t google it, don’t go on it. That website is a gateway to the deepest corners and GIFs of the interwebs. 

What was your last Google search? 

“Redamancy in a sentence”. Redamancy is a beautiful word that’s no longer in use. It specifies reciprocity in love, or in other words it means : to love in return. The word is now obsolete but majestic nonetheless. 

What’s your favorite thing about being in Enactus? 
The redamancy. (see what I did there?) The people in Enactus are wonders. They are motivated, passionate beings and its comforting and warm and hopeful. Just seeing all these students get together and actually make a difference in other peoples lives restores my faith in humanity and belief in change. 

Do you have any hidden talents? 
I make an excellent Hamster face. That’s a talent, right?

The Gary Wood Appreciation Post

Gary Wood win of the week:

Congratulations to our website designer, Gary Wood, for winning a serif.com competition for the Enactus Sheffield website and others!

 Previous Gary Wood weekly wins:

"Gary Wood has been a proactive hero and updated the website to now include the link to our blog!"

"We’ve been working with Gary Wood (who has been amazing) to create the new website."

"Thanks to Gary Wood's help, we have raised over £1000 for the Nigeria project!" 

 Heres a snap of the Linguistics boys getting gunged during the fundraiser Gary organised last year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we'd like to say a massive thank you to Gary for all the help he has given us!

2nd Enactus Evening

 Its week 2... with all our new members sorted nicely into their projects, as shown in this cheeky snap of the Enterprise Zone! The exec team are busy organising the training day this Saturday; we're asking a lot of time commitment this week from all members but hopefully it will be worth it. After the day we're having the first social of the year, with as many members as possible heading down to Poptarts at the union in fancy dress!

Enactus Sheffield don't exactly have the BEST reputation of hosting socials, especially when you compare to the Cricket Lads and Hockey Girls at "Roar" on a Wednesday, but this Saturday after the training day we're going to give it a go.

Meet The Execs: Rob Ryan

In the first Meet The Execs feature, we meet Rob Ryan, a third year English and Linguistics student. Rob is the Project Director of Hope Cosmetics. 

How did you join Enactus?

I joined Enactus after competing in our The Intern competition, an Apprentice-style format we run at the University. I absolutely love The Apprentice and secretly have a big desire to go on the show one day! So when I heard about The Intern I was like sign me up, I’m winning this thing. Turns out I didn’t in the end but hey I joined Enactus, so it still counts as a win!

Any hobbies?

Enactus? Hobbies? The two are mutually exclusive by nature! No, in all seriousness, I really enjoy going to the gym (yes it’s a boring answer – but it’s a good stress relief!) and last year I had my own radio show on Forge Radio. It was a brilliant experience, I got to interview people like DJ Fresh and The Other Tribe and I quite fancied myself as the next Scott Mills at one point!

Favourite brand?

Tough one! If money weren’t an issue, I’d probably say Apple and All Saints. Both mass market and mass-produced (not sure what that says about me…) but they’re successful for a reason. They both make top class products, it’s just a shame I can’t afford a £300 jacket in All Saints case!

Favourite night out in Sheffield?

I’m team Pop Tarts I’m afraid. I used to work at the Union and it was the one night of the week I looked forward to working! DQ +1/Drop comes a close second.

What do you want to do after Uni?

I would love to go into Marketing after my degree, but ideally working for a funky, small-ish marketing company somewhere in London! I’d love to have some creative input and work in a really dynamic and creative team, but I realise this is perhaps a big ask for a graduate straight away!

Have you ever cried on a night out?

Yes… It seems Glenn the Commercial Director has grassed me up... no comment!

How often do you shower?

I shower once a day, sometimes twice if I go to the gym in the afternoon... You can now all carry on with your lives now you know this important information.

Highlight of your time in Enactus so far?

My Enactus highlight would definitely be my trip to Nigeria last year for our HOPE Nigeria project. I was petrified of going before I left – I’d never been to Africa, never mind to set up a shea butter cooperative with villagers! It was genuinely one of the very best moments of my life so far and something I will never forget. I get very proud and happy thinking of the last day when we drove off knowing we’d truly made a difference to people’s lives. It was very emotional!

Weekly wins

A massive weekly win to every single new member of Enactus this year. We had some very good applications this year so making it onto a project was a great achievement, and we're very excited about how strong the teams are and what we believe can be achieved.

And another win. A small one this time, but forgive us we're just getting started...

It has taken the Enactus Sheffield team SIX MONTHS to convince Facebook to let us change our page name from Sheffield SIFE (the old branding of the company) to the new name.

And finally it happened.. It's the little things in life.

Enjoy your weekend!

A new year, a new blog.

Good evening enterprisers!

Today is the first Enactus Sheffield evening and the exec team would like to say a massive GOOD LUCK to all the new and returning members, and we hope you don't mind we took a cheeky snap of you all deep in conversation.

We've got some really exciting projects lined up this year and can't wait to see what develops over the coming months. We've also got some good plans for this blog; keep checking in to see regular posts about weekly wins, members of the month, exec team introductions and insights into the projects.

 For other types of updates feel free to follow us on twitter at @enactussheff or on facebook at facebook.com/EnactusSheff as we would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!