Girls taking the responsibility to clean up after themselves at camp
From late July to early August this year, 283 of our youngest cadets embarked on a camp to learn more about poverty, and the people who live under those conditions. In the process of learning more about this issue that affects nearly a quarter of humanity, Girls had the opportunity to craft their own thoughtful responses towards the issue of poverty. Here are just some of our reflections from the camp!
- Dreaming of making a positive difference
Girls developed a more multi-faceted understanding of poverty through speakers who had worked with developing communities overseas, as well as youth voices from Beyond Social Services* (BSS).
It is not every day that you get to be inspired by the experiences of youth growing up in rental flats. Listening to the challenges that these young people face (such as discrimination), one cannot help but marvel at how determinedly they pursue their dreams to make the community a better place.
Sharing a fierce desire to benefit those around them, our young speakers spend afternoons studying hard together. All for the sake of choosing a career path they are passionate about – like becoming mental and healthcare professionals.
“Though I have yet to enter tertiary education, I learn what I can through online resources. Due to financial issues, I am unable to pay for course on the website, so I have to take the money from my own pocket. However, I will not change my dream because I really want to help others who are facing this mental issue and give them a sort of encouragement.” Youth speaker from BSS.
Introducing Girls to the situation of the impoverished in Nepal
Local speakers who have volunteered overseas before also shared about how people living in difficult circumstances overseas work hard to realise their dreams. People living in the recovering nation of Timor Leste or slums in Nepal may lack basic needs such as quality education or nutrition, yet they are determined to fulfil their dreams of a better future – not just for themselves, but their families and neighbours.
It is clear that the human spirit of sharing is alive in any community – kindled, and fanned into flame by our love for one another. It is never bound by what we do not have, for even the youngest child can make a positive difference to her community.
Girls donating used books to Dignity Mama, a social enterprise that employs people with special needs to sell preloved books and other services.
2. There is dignity in working hard to care for your family’s livelihood
Girls taking part in a challenge to earn as much money for resources for their camp family as possible
Girls had to take on roles and responsibilities of different family members during the camp and learn to be responsible for their “children”, or group members.
Although camp conditions were deliberately spartan, many Girls welcomed the challenges and even saw a slight similarity between how their experiences as a faux family mirrored the way that impoverished families had to strive daily to provide their families with a better future.
Many camp facilitators were also heartened by the way their group members devoted themselves to working hard for their “families”, be it taking on the responsibility of managing money, to securing best quality food.
Accomplishing difficult tasks, facing adversities, taking care of your family – an admirable dignity lies behind every labour of love for someone else’s sake, even if it’s just your family!
Photo of Camp Family 3
*Beyond Social Services is a charity dedicated to helping children and youth from less privileged backgrounds break away from the poverty cycle