029- Sharing Nature Connections Across A Younger Generation With Amina Smith-Gul

Sheree Mack your host really enjoyed talking to Amina Smith-Gul about her many different experiences and activities within nature and how she takes the time and energy to share her love of nature with others, particularly with the younger generation. 

In this episode you'll hear them talking about:

• The two films that explore Black people and swimming, Blacks Can't Swim
• The development of the City Girl in Nature's YouTube channel
• All the Elements social events
• Living in London and green spaces
• Amina'a Peruvian Amazon rainforest experience
• Giving back to the community
• Inspiring others to get out into nature
• Website development
• Processing our experiences in nature
• Growing through traumatic experiences
• Childhood and travel
• Living off the land
• Planning for her next trip to Kenya

 

Bio: Amina Smith-Gul grew up in Deptford, an inner city area of South-East London. Along with many of her friends, neighbours and peers, who all experienced a great deal of the challenges that come with living in an area, and with people, who have often been neglected, excluded and marginalised.

She struggled a great deal with making sense of senseless violence and trauma, she had faced, she found herself homeless, moving from sofa to sofa, and struggling with her mental health and well-being. Her life was chaotic, often harsh, without meaning or any sense of direction or purpose.

At her lowest, she received what could be regarded as a gift and a blessing. An opportunity to be part of a British Exploring Society’s expedition to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. She spent 3 weeks in a remote part of the jungle, with no phone or contact with the outside world, & with a group of people that she barely knew.

This, in many ways, was a life-changing experience for her. She experienced the beauty of nature, where there was no judgement, just life teaming with energy and opportunity. And bonds of friendship and loyalty with strangers who had to discover ways to live and work together in order to be successful. On her return she started to think about connecting with other people, particularly with young people like herself, some of whom have never had the opportunity to experience anything other than poverty and hardship. She wanted to explore if a connection with nature, could touch them in a similar way that it had with herself.

This led to the start of City Girl in Nature, as a way to give back to her community. To share her love and passion for the outdoors, and belief that everybody should have the chance to be healed, to be nourished, and to life with abundance.

Please do join her on my journey and keep up-to date with progress.

Website: City Girl in Nature

Instagram: City Girl in Nature

YouTube: City Girl in Nature

Blacks Can't Swim

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