VIDES VOLUNTEERS AT HOLIDAY CAMP
From 17th to 31st of August, the Salesian Sisters, a group of VIDES volunteers and local animators, hosted an oratory camp in Dagoretti and Mutuini. A large number of young people nearly 800 participated in this camp which was guided by the theme of the Strenna 2011”COME AND SEE.” It was a wonderful experience to be with the young people who showed their happiness in different ways. Among the activities that marked the days were academic tuition and creative work whereby they could develop their talents. They had moments of character formation which was aimed at helping them to grow deeper in good relationship with God, each other and to be good Christians, honest citizens now and in the future. They had moments of creative formative games to help them build up their relationships with one other as they were all from different schools. We organized exchange programs in which some groups from Dagoretti came over to Mutuini while some from MEC moved to play and be together with those who were in Dagoretti. The young people were moved towards the realization of the ‘joy in service.’ They moved out for charity work in the surrounding neighbourhood, visiting the elderly and sick. Others did cleaning up activities in the compounds they were based in and the surrounding streets and dirty corners of Mutuini and Dagoretti.
On the last day of the camp the two groups met together to have fun together and entertainment based on the theme which was followed by prize giving for those who showed improvement in various areas.
It was a marvelous day to see every one participating fully and with enthusiasm. We had a family meal together thanks to the well wishers and benefactors who made the faces of these young people shine by providing food. With gratitude, the Camp team concluded this important event with a hanksgiving mass celebrated by Rev Fr John Karanja the parish priest of Dagoretti. During the Eucharistic celebration 23 VIDES volunteers renewed their promises. May God continue to strengthen their desires and the passion to serve many young people who are in need.Thanks goes to those who supported us in our camp in one way or the other.
Sr. Martha and Sr. Sophia Gura Novices
How has Vides helped me as a Volunteer?
Having the courage to handle young people is a great challenge to many; all it entails is courage and passion and lots of devotion to Jesus Christ through prayer.
Vides has helped me realize the love of Christ by enabling me share His word to many young people. This has developed my confidence to read the Bible and understand it carefully for I too want to be able to speak about God’s word to the young.
Vides has nurtured well my potentiality in leadership skills. This has been shown by the many various meetings on planning for the events for the entire group and coordinating the different units i.e. universities and colleges in information delivery.
Vides has enabled me have the courage to face life as it is. I believed that my problems were just to be shared amongst I and myself , but having a family from your main family is very encouraging from the network of friends developed who are very supportive both spiritually and materially.
Having the chance to help young fellows who are almost your age is so challenging and interesting because it brings forth a forum whereby they ought to gain so much both academically and in life skills as they see you as an elder brother and friend.
Vides has given me the opportunity to grow in counseling skills and to observe life differently because I always felt like a victim of neglect by my parents and my brothers too, but it has helped me counsel them to realize how important it is to love ones’ parents no matter the weaknesses that may prevail in the family.
The courage of standing before a crowd of young people when I normally would associate with just a few grew. It felt easier to interact with all of them.
Emmanuel Juma
( VIDES Volunteer)
Do the children/Young people benefit from Vides?
This is a summary of the testimonies/ information retrieved from the young people at the end of this year (2011) summer camp.
“I had a negative attitude towards understanding Biology but now the subject is clear to me.”(Form two student)
“I was very shy and had no courage to speak to my colleagues, but now I can speak to ladies and other boysand girls.”
“I was a bully at school. In fact, I wouldn’t give a Form one student a chance to speak to me. Even the Form one students presently here can tell you about it, but now I understand that all of us are equal but are at different levels of education.” (Form two student)
“I could go home and have nothing for supper only to wait for the morning to take amadazi. Then I would come to this place where I knew I would get a plate full of rice and drink water till the next day. Here I interacted with my peers and played games with them as there was no space at home to play.”
“I always enjoyed how organized we were from the parade where we would go in straight lines to the class room. During the break time we would also do the same and play together in a circle and sing many songs. We would then go for formation and the afternoon art and craft sessions followed by the good evening where we would sit on the grass and wait for the formation groups presentation. I loved it all.”
(Standard Five pupil)
