Linden youths benefit from virtual empowerment camp

Students who are home from school due to the COVID-19 pandemic recently benefited from a weeklong virtual camp hosted by the For the Children Sake Foundation (FTCSF) in collaboration with the Health Ministry’s Adolescent Department and an NGO, Dessert Flower. The youth camp was hosted via Zoom under the theme, “Empower U.”

Some of the beneficiaries of the virtual camp – Photo Credit: (FTCSF)

According to the President of FTCSF, Tina Duke, the aim was to breach the gap between the current pandemic and schooling challenges through virtual platforms.

“Our mandate and objectives remain the same as we continue to recognise the need for youth engagement and involvement in building their own capacity and empowering them to take charge of their futures. Summer camps are known for providing a safe environment where children gain self-confidence as they learn new skills, an environment where they can interact with peers who understand their challenges and can relate adequately. Camp allows us to have interactions that may be lacking and clear up myths and make the transition to adulthood easier for our youths. It’s a place where children develop a variety of social skills – communication, conflict resolution ability, where they build self-esteem and understand the importance of self-love”, Duke stated.

She further stated that the camp provided an array of fun and exciting methods of inclusive learning whereby each learner was stimulated. The campers were engaged in empowering and motivational talks from representatives of the Health Ministry, Dessert Flower, and motivational speaker Astel Collins, while FTCSF peer educators led discussions on puberty, hygiene, abuse, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence. These sessions were aimed at empowering adolescent youth to make better, informed decisions.

“We did have a craft element that was both inexpensive yet creative, as campers utilised household items. Campers expressed gratitude for the initiative and actively participated and were receptive to knowledge dispensed. One child, name given ‘Latifah’ said, and I quote, ‘I just wanted to reach out to express heartfelt thanks to FTCSF for another great summer, we have been loyal to your camp for four summers, and it never disappoints,’” Duke related.

Parents who were in the presence of their children also praised the initiative.

“We had a fabulous camp experience here, so I wanted to talk about it. My young kids were in such great hands with caring facilitators; they did many different activities that wove in concepts such as confidence building, sharing, and empathy”, the parent related.

Another parent explained that her children were shown great respect from all of the campers. She noted that the camp coordinators catered to the development of each child and took time to understand and motivate them.

Another parent said she was thrilled to have found FTCSF years ago, and the peace of mind she gains from knowing her children will be in a safe, meaningfully, engaging and fun environment was really appreciated. As such, she commended the FTCSF on the concise planning and execution of all calendar activities as she related that her kids were excited daily to share what they had done virtually.

Yet another parent said the camp provided a safe, fun, and educational environment.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the facilitators, presenters, members of FTCSF, Dessert Flower, and Health Ministry as well as those who invested in prizes and internet plans that would have allowed some of the youths to participate.

[Extracted and Modified from Guyana Times]