Princess Diana's Memorial Sculpture & Visit to Teen Challenge
Her Royal Highness signs the Teen Challenge Visitors Book
Some students explain an aspect of the Teaching Programme..
Following Prince William and Harry's good news announcement that Princess Diana's Memorial Sculpture is to be erected in Kensington Palace Gardens in 2017, It gives LIGHT INTERNATIONAL huge pleasure to revisit her very special day at Teen Challenge....
The Teen Challenge Rehabilitation Centre at Gorslas, Dyfed, Wales was truly honoured that special day when HRH Princess Diana dropped by, when she was undertaking no official public engagements. The Princess' genuine interest in helping and encouraging young people with addiction problems was evident from the way she warmly related to the young men in the programme. Her strong message to them was:
"Learning to like yourself is the hardest thing - if you have no self esteem or good self-image you have nothing."
Princess Diana's tour of the Centre included meeting full tme schools worker Paul Blackwell, a discussion with students on the teaching material used in the programme and an inspection of the various activities carried on in the vocational training workshops.
At each stage the Princess took time to encourage the students to believe in themselves and her attention was a tremendous uplift to everyone.
The Teen Challenge Chapel was overflowing as the Princess listened to a special performance by the Centre's Outreach Team, 'The Evidence" Her Royal Highness obviously enjoyed the opportunity to relax after having met so many people and expressed her appreciation of the music by singing, and leading the crowded chapel in spontaneous applause.
She was presented with two recordings produced by 'The Evidence' and assured musical director Paul Evans:
"I will listen to them before passing them on to Prince William and Prince Harry!"
She was also presented with a jar of honey produced by Teen Challenge's own bees!
The visit was rounded off by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the signing of The Visitors Book and by signing a rather splendid portrait of herself.
The Princess' visit to The Teen Challenge Centre was an obvious morale booster to both it's students and staff. 'We are grateful to her for demonstrating such a compassionate care and understanding for people who are, sadly, so often misunderstood by society today.
Teen Challenge Bombay Report
Page 87 Visions & Creativity
The Princess soon wins the hearts of the students in the Centre's Tudor Room
The Princess meets members of 'The Evidence' Outreach Team and accepts the recordings and a pot of Honey made from Teen Challenge's own Bees!
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