When I read these threads I thank god I'm in the US and also an EAA member. My 15 year old is learning to fly in a J3 and we are building a Waiex together. The statistics are bleak but it is far from hopeless.
Waiex project: skip to the end of the thread if it is too long.
http://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=578 Engine:
http://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3232
I'd also add he is learning to drive in a 17 year old car with a manual transmission and crank windows.