Awake | Arise | Shine – Buds Leadership Camp 2015
The Buds leadership camp for 2015 was organised on the theme
Awake, Arise and Shine at House of Peace, Yercuad from 26th to 30th of May
2015. The leadership camp is primarily organised in building future leaders
from the families reached through Buds of Christ to reach out to young children
and youth belonging to challenging circumstances. The camp outcome is to enable
the youngsters to focus and encourage young people like them to live the future
with hope and courage.
The main aspects of the camp were on motivational sessions
by external consultants, action songs, dance and reflective (personal and
group) exercises that enabled the participants to be more involved in the learning.
The First day themed AWAKE:
The participants were guided in understanding their self worth through demonstrative
sessions by Mr. Santharaj from Salem. The key learning the participants gained
was each one has been born with potential that is masked by low self worth that
is projected through shyness, considering one as incapable for the task, fear
of being open etc. He encouraged the participants to look into their inner self
and be proud of the uniqueness in oneself.
This was followed by exercise on the Tree of life (a manual
developed by REPSII, South Africa) that was adapted in helping the participants
look into the special abilities
each one possesses. The compilation of
all the trees was set as the forest of life. This exercise helped the
participants look into the other part of their life, focusing on their
strengths, talents and skills. They also acknowledged the key roles played by
their well-wishers. At the end of the exercise the participants become more
enthusiastic especially when their peers shared the qualities they observed in
each other.
“I was very thrilled when friends certain qualities I was
not aware of; I was also very happy because I felt I was keenly observed by my
friends". - expressed an orphan girl
“I have always felt I am not capable of doing great task,
but here when my friends shared the qualities I possess and how it has
benefitted them, I feel proud of myself" - expressed an orphan boy
The second day themed ARISE:
The participants gained an understanding on the fears and challenges that
overwhelm them. The session lead by Dr. John Daniel Ph.D, helped the
participants understand the internal (self -made) challenges that affects once
progress. He outlined four areas, Lack of knowledge, lack of accountability, lack
of enthusiasm and lack of commitment. This enabled the young people reflect on
their own personal experiences and make decisions that will make them move
forward.
Following participatory discussion on the challenges they
experience and overcoming them, a reinforcing session on practical ways to
arise out of the existing situation was explained with illustration.
“It was a wonderful experience to learn that life is not
an event, but a process, so the sad moment will pass away and I need not dwell,
nor plan based on the present circumstances” – expressed a 18 year old orphan
girl
“For me, it was an eye-opening experience to understand
that I myself have caused limitation to my growth and if I need to move forward,
I should be the change" – expressed a 17 year old orphan boy
The final session of the day was setting up personal plans
and guided by a mentor.
The third day themed SHINE:
The participants were oriented on the need to change and I was stressed that
the change should come from them and should be with strong willingness. The session
was followed by a group exercise where the participants reflected on the
shining moment where they have felt good and some moments where they been a
shining moment for others. On reflecting the two instances, majority expressed
that it is more satisfying when they have been the cause of shine for others.
Two expressions of being a shine
“I had a small garden in front of my house, and a small
“Having failed in my public exam, I could not continue
studies after my 10th. So I got trained in beautician course and with that
skill I am working in the parlour. In that earning, one of my friend who wanted
to do higher studies was in financial need for continuing her education, I was
happy that I could be of help and offered support” - expressed a young person.
At the end of the day, each participant were involved in
setting a social goal that would help other children and young people coming
from challenging circumstances. The session then ended with a commitment which
was shared by the participants in open.