Word Alive Commission For Christian Education

For a third year running, Word Alive Ministries—through its commission for Christian education—has accomplished its objective of helping to groom youths into productive and responsible citizens through a life skills camp which ran from July 30 to August 1. REV HANNAH MIJOYA, who has been mentoring the youth at all the three camps explains more about the ‘2015 Treasured Possession’ Camp’.

Over the three years we have had the ‘Treasured Possession Life Skills Camp’, I have had the privilege of getting involved as a mentor.
The 2015 camp mentors also included Dr Chifundo Kachale, Pastor David Kalirani, Peace Mwalabu, Dr Liz Mapurisa and Dr Gugu Mapurisa.
Being a mentor is an exciting experience and a privilege as you get to know the children deeper.
As mentors, we are becoming more passionate about the camp, especially the lives of the children that we meet.
The role exposes us to the great need that exists among young people of inculcating life skills that are essential to their development and future.
Our teachings aim at instilling in the youth the spirit of knowing that each one of them is valuable, can add value, and can learn from others.
We began our camp by asking the participants to define themselves by answering the question: Who am I?
We believe that for each individual to progress effectively in life, they need to define or identify themselves appropriately.
Such definitions are discussed without exposing the person as others would be negative definitions.
We also took time to share with the participants how God looks at them and the need for them to accept God’s definition or view despite how they may feel about themselves.
Participants were taught 10 life skills they need to master, which include never to base their definition and security on what mean people say; never to ignore things that brought shame and pain but learn the lessons out of them and learning to run to God in the day of trouble.
Participants were also taken through academic excellence skills based on the life of Daniel.
There were also split sessions for girls and boys where issues of taking responsibility over one’s sexual purity and taking care of oneself as a ‘Treasured Possession’ were shared.
Participants also had a session on ‘Journey of Life’ to help them develop a skill of reflecting on life happenings and taking positive decisions out of each situation. They have been encouraged to take daily reflections on each day, draw lessons out of the day and make informed decisions for the day.
Practical skills are equally important.
Friday afternoon was set aside for such, which included working in the kitchen and taking care of clothes.
Participants were taught on how one conducts themselves in the kitchen, usage of utensils and manuals that come with utensils.
They were also taught how to light a charcoal burner—mbaula. The skill can only be perfected with practice, so please help them practice to perfect the skill.
You do not leave the kitchen without cooking, so they were also taught several simple egg dishes. Please give them an opportunity to practise.
One’s outlook tells a story. We wanted to ensure that our participants are in charge of the story their outlook tells; therefore, we took them through a process of caring for their clothes which starts with the choice of clothes you buy, storage, washing, hanging on the line for drying with the simple rule of ‘Hang as you wear’. They also learnt how to avoid creating a ‘sun’ on their clothes and ‘floral neck’ for their T-shirts.
We believe the participants have embarked on a journey that will distinguish them in life.
Effective learning goes hand in hand with commitment. Each participant was, therefore, asked to come up with their own commitments. These commitments represent desires which we must ensure they are realised.
Our prayer is that each parent will support the participants to build on the foundation laid.