The camp really felt like a beautiful way to bring this two-year journey full circle, and I left feeling proud, grateful and excited for what this programme can continue to achieve. (Ray-ana Lewis)
In the last weekend of August (Friday 28 – Sunday 30), we headed out to Betty’s Bay to hold our first ever Grade 11 Camp – something made possible to us by the donations we received this year and by YIIP being selected by the New Africa Fund to have some of these donations doubled. Plus, through the generosity of HG Travelling Services, we were gifted a bus to drive our 36 learners and facilitator team to and from Disakloof Campsite.
Our Grade 11 Programme is now called Local Eyes, Global Heart and it was designed to equip our learners with tools and leadership skills; encouraging them to think critically, cultivate self-awareness and mindfulness, act ethically and with purpose, and have a greater sense of global interconnectedness.
My facilitator training definitely pushed my limits and helped me get out of my comfort zone. … I gained a lot more confidence in working alongside others. (Carmen Kemp)
The Camp took this one step further by focusing on Design Thinking, where our learners were led through an innovative and creative design process, addressing some of the societal issues they have explored throughout the year’s programme. This comprehensive and expansive process was led by Babalwa Ngcongolo and the facilitator team.
Babalwa is a long-time CTII associate and an educator, facilitator, and peacebuilder working at the intersection of interfaith dialogue, cultural justice, and youth leadership.
Morning mindful meditations were held by Ann Paton. This grounded us in an inclusive spiritual context.
On Friday evening Ben and the Jewish participants led us in a somewhat improvised but nonetheless welcome Shabbat observance.
Woven into all of this this were sport and recreational activities, like walks to the beach.
Also we hiked under cloud up the Disakloof river itself at the adjoining Harold Porter Botanical Garden, and stopped at improvised stations to pause, pray and reflect. At the high point of the path, our own Pastor Velie gave us mountaintop inspiration.
It was extraordinary to look at team and see the fruits not only of our labours but also the original vision of Marlene Silbert who dreamed this Programme into being 15 years ago.
Programme graduates (Aidon, Blessing, Golden, Nomthandazo, Ray-ana, and Zahra) were our our leaders, facilitators, organisers, entertainers and even chefs! Because of their skills, we kept everything ‘in-house’.
Every one of our extraordinary team that also included Carmen Kemp (for whom this is her first year as facilitator) and CTII’s Sarah Oliver, Veliswa Ntsume, and Ann and Nic Paton rose to the challenge with great heart, passion and skill.
I never really realised how important trust between team members was … trust gives you confidence. When you know that you can rely on and confide in your team members, you naturally feel more confident in yourself and in the team (Carmen Kemp)
It was the perfect end to an extraordinary 2-year journey together, in which powerful seeds were sown, and friendships deepened between young people of such different backgrounds, faiths and traditions – the very essence of our Programme and the embodiment of our hopes and desires for the future.
The atmosphere among the team was one of true family — everyone worked together with love. To think where these learners started 2 years ago to where they are now — young adults who are confident, respectful and dreaming big. (Blessing Dipumbe)
