We have achieved a lot of remarkable things in the short four years since we opened our first camp session.
In a sense, we have changed the culture of a part of Soweto, no mean feat in itself.
Camp was unknown; activities that would get children prepared for the adversities that were awaiting them as they reached adolescence were not in place. Perhaps one has to live a long part of one's life doing something the way it has always been done before the enormity of a change in strategy becomes a major blast.
Just by shifting the language with which the camp activities are described and then becoming intentional about acting in accordance with the new language, provides a major difference.
The children who come to camp (3300 so far) are not noticeably different when they leave from when they arrive. The difference is in their heads and hearts. They undergo a transformation in the way they look at their circumstances. Instead of being at the effect of the abuse, rape, incest, neglect, and more, they now have a path by which they can eventually leave this environment.
Before arriving at camp, many don't have a plan or a thought as to how things could get better in their lives--for instance, how they would survive the AIDS pandemic to reach adulthood. At camp, they are taught how to overcome or sidestep the many pitfalls they will face. Their attitudes change dramatically while at camp.
It will be particularly interesting to see how they fare over time. So far, everything we see is positive and encouraging. Stay tuned.
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