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Carina Lewis

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Biography
My childhood was spent moving between South Africa and the UK and I have been somewhat nomadic all my life, with stints in the Far East and the USA as well. I feel very fortunate to have had those experiences because travel is a wonderful education.

I have always been interested in psychology and after having my first child I began to read everything I could about children and child development. My children are now in their early twenties. One son is an electrician, the other is a Krishna devotee and my daughter is working with women's groups in Ghana. I like to think I did a good job of fostering their individual interests!

My first real job was for Plan International, a third world development organisation that links sponsors with children and their communities in developing countries. Over the years, while my children were growing up, i also worked as a freelance writer, a proofreader, an Avon lady and an antiques dealer! In 2002 I trained as a driving instructor (mainly to cash in on the fact that my children's friends were that age). It meant that for a few years I spent a great deal of time in cars talking to 17 year olds and often found myself discussing their lives and their problems. I enjoyed this much more than teaching driving, so I decided to qualify as a life coach and to specialize in helping 17 to 24 year olds.

How I came to be in this field
In 2006 I returned from the UK to live in Cape Town and needed a part-time job to subsidise my life coaching work. Fortunately I stumbled upon CYC-Net. The office happens to be situated two roads away from my house and since 2007 I have been happily working there every weekday morning as a website administrator. Part of the job has entailed me gradually reading my way through the vast amount of literature on the website, so I feel I'm beginning to know a little more about child care workers and the profession. In 2008 I started mentoring a sixteen year old girl through Big Brothers Big Sisters which has been a very enlightening and fulfilling experience.

A favorite saying
'The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude' – Dennis S. Brown

'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover'. – Mark Twain

A few thoughts about child and youth care
I'm not sure I feel qualified to say much, given my short time here. However, I am full of admiration for those who work in the field. It's such an important and sometimes unappreciated profession and it must be one of the most worthwhile and ultimately rewarding of jobs.

Last thing I read, watched, heard, which I would recommend to others
Two books I've read recently:

1. Three to see the king by Magnus Mills. This writer has a simple style and quiet sense of humour which I enjoy and his writing has deceptive depths and thought provoking ideas about society.

2. You remind me of me by Dan Chaon. Another writer who uses a clever understated style. This is an interesting story about the lives of two separated brothers and explores questions of identity and belonging.

A favorite Child and Youth Care experience
Attending a Fun Day in Cape Town with all the kids from Boys and Girls Town. It was a hot day and even the most shy of kids and reserved of parents joined in the water fight that spontaneously erupted! It was a wonderful way to break down barriers and the big smiles on all the faces at the end of the day said it all.

A recommended child and youth care reading link
https://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0507-fewster.html

A writing of my own
https://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/CYC-Online-mar2010-lewis.html

Influences on my work
My grandmother who introduced me to psychology, my parents who taught us to take care of the underdog, my wise and funny children, living in different cultures – especially South Africa – an inspiring English teacher at school and books, books and more books.