News
Volunteers in Kenya
kenia (Kenya)
On August 16-30, the annual formation camp during the school vacation took place for children, adolescents, and young people of Dagoretti and Mutuini on the outskirts of Nairobi. It was animated by the Volunteers of Vides Kenya and more than 500 young people between 6 and 19 years of age participated.The VIDES volunteers are mostly young university students together with young people of the parish, who fully share with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian Novices, the educational vision, organization, and animation of the camp.The theme this year that oriented the whole initiative is in synergy with the closing of the bicentennial year of Don Bosco's birth. It was, "Experiencing Jesus through Don Bosco's Eyes".During the camp, the witness of our saint was evidenced through Biblical reflections and practical formative input for living Christian life daily. In the afternoon, all the participants were creatively involved through various activities, initiatives, educational games, above all in view of the development of the talents and gifts of each child, adolescent, and young person.One of the main activities during the VIDES camps is the experience offered to the little ones and young people to 'go out' to reach the neediest persons in the area. In fact, by delving self-knowledge deeply and the Lord, they meet their sisters and brothers in the social community.The same VIDES Kenya volunteers seek to live their call to "Delve deeply to reach everyone" and willingly share this same effort with the young people during the camp.At the conclusion of the time spent together, the entire group of children and young people divided into small groups and opened their wings to embrace many needy families, the elderly, and the sick of the area of Mutuini and Dagoretti Market, bringing them a gift package, fruit of their efforts and sharing: Bibles and Gospels, food, and clothing, accompanied by blessing prayers said together in every house visited, a very important gesture and of great moral support. Each family that received the visit of the children and young people was touched by the encounter and all praised God for this gesture of close solidarity that was a blessing for those who received it and those who were visiting.Each year, the camps are the best way to help the children and young people spend the time of vacation in the month of August in serenity and involvement.