“My name is Brandwin Louis, I am 16 years old and I attend Sarepta High School. Coolplay started at my school in March last year. Before CoolPlay came to the school I felt all alone and I felt like an outcast. I was a boy who never wanted to mingle with others, because of my appearance – I have a bad mark on my face and other kids used to make fun of me. This took all my self-confidence away. Ever since CoolPlay jumped into my life it all changed.

Coolplay has brought out the real lion in me, and Coach Luke has played a big part in that. I’ve begun to think anything is possible as he told me about his own life story and what his struggles were in life and what he did to overcome them.

My self confidence is so high and doesn’t matter how I look or where I come from, I feel alive now thanks to CoolPlay. The best activity or my favourite life skill in a CoolPlay session is the Web of Connection. I used to love the foundations one too – the Human Pyramid – but after I got my foundation right in life I started to focus on my responsibility and through the Web of Connection I understand it much better. It really helped me focus on what I need to do in school and at home.

So I have a message to the youth out there: we all have something small we don’t like about ourselves but sometimes it’s there to build our character and to make us stronger. It doesn’t matter what people think of us, what matters is our character and what we do with it. Through CoolPlay, I have learnt this much.

Thanks”

Bradwin Louis