MALABO, Equatorial Guinea.
Under the slogan "We learn and have fun" over July, twelve young MIT (Teresian Association Movement) members from Equatorial Guinea have participated as facilitators for activities and social development of children in the neighborhood of Campo Yaounde in Malabo. The experience is part of the country's youth volunteering program.
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For the last two years, some people of the Youth Movement of the Teresian Association (MIT) of Equatorial Guinea spend part of their vacation to volunteer. They participate in the human and social development of children in a neighborhood of Campo Yaounde in Malabo where the Center of Our Lady of Africa and the town of Moeri are located, a rural area South of Bioko Island .
This time the youth group participated as instructors in scheduled activities, accompanied by four members of the Primary Association of the Teresian Association (TA), who facilitated the coordination of everything.
The proposed objectives were: Spend the vacation on learning and fun; create spaces for fellowship where they can learn to respect that which is different.
The young volunteers have had seven training sessions throughout the academic year, in the days before and during activities. The topics were: Reflection on the experience of the previous year and the meaning that it gave to their own lives, the cost of service and gratuity, their task as response to a need ( as Pedro Poveda did), practical and methodological guidelines for the planning of activities.
With these elements and the necessary guidance, they developed a series of activities at Our Lady of Africa Educational Center and in the town of Moeri.
OUR LADY OF AFRICA CENTER
Crochet Workshop
Approximately seventy children and adolescents from 4th year of primary education to the 2nd year of ESBA (secondary school) were in attendance. The planned activities included tutoring in the Spanish Language and Mathematics. They also provided sports and creative craft workshops and dancing. At the end of each morning, they spent some time cleaning and playing.
The main thread of the activities was education on values: respect, friendship, sharing, family environment, faith in Jesus of Nazareth, punctuality, teamwork, good work. These values were proposed as motivation to live each day.
On the last day they created a market with gifts (books, bracelets, school supplies etc.) To purchase these gifts they had to have some tickets that were received through their positive participation in activities. The tickets were an external motivation for consistency and accountability in the activities and involvement in whatever was needed.
IN THE TOWN OF MOERI
The volunteers provided tutoring activities in the mornings, for primary school children and adolescents of the first year of ESBA.
The afternoon was for sports and workshops. Eleven women from the town participated in these activities. At the end of day prayer time was offered for those who wanted to participate in it.
On Sunday, July 28, they celebrated the feast of St. Pedro Poveda at a Mass presided by Father Benjamin, a good friend of the TA. Many people attended it. After the Eucharist everyone shared the table with a tasty "pica -pica." Later they visited the elderly of the village and there was a soccer game. They whole day was lived in a celebratory mood.
The Chief Council member of the Town of Moeri sent a letter to the TA in which he said: "The people of Moeri thank you for the educational support you provide ... We pray to the Lord that, through Pedro Poveda, we may follow the way of the Lord."
POSITIVE EVALUATION
The volunteers were involved in whatever was needed, both at Our Lady of Africa Center as in the town of Moeri. This has contributed to the success of the program of activities and has promoted a pleasant environment. It has been an enriching experience and a growth opportunity for all. The exchange of the tickets at the market was a success that we enjoyed very much.
Bracelet Workshop
97.2 % of the children and adolescents with whom we worked stated that the remedial classes were very helpful to strengthen their knowledge of mathematics and Spanish.
When asked “what did you think of these activities?” some responded:
- " Wonderful "
- " Very short, but fun "
- " Good, when school starts these subjects will not be difficult "
- " Very good and the teachers teach a lot"
- " Good. I have known new friends and I had lots of fun "
- "It's been a good deed for us "
- "They were perfect and well planned"
- " Good and constructive"
- " Great. Fabulous "
The volunteers were asked what the experience had meant to them, and they answered:
- "These days have led me to discover that you can learn a lot by teaching. There were days when I learned that teaching is not my thing, but I also felt that I gave the best of me, and this compensated my inability. The feeling I have is one of joy. I'm happy because, in spite of everything, I feel that I helped these boys and girls but, mostly, I really enjoyed it. "
- "For me it has been fun. At times it was tough but good. Actually I've had a great time, although the time has been short. I feel sadness because it is over and because I will miss the children and also my colleagues. However, I have the satisfaction of having taught children that I didn’t know and I am sure that this may make a difference."
- "For me it was a good experience being able to share what I know with kids. And I leave with a feeling of love, affection, sympathy, patience and knowing how to share with little ones. After this experience, I feel the strength to spend my life helping others who may be in need."
- "For me these days have been learning and preparation, giving the best of me and enjoying it. I bring with me a feeling of satisfaction. "
- "For me these have been special days in my life because I have been more aware that there are people who need a helping hand to get ahead, and in this volunteering experience I feel I have been one of these helping hands. I bring with me the desire to share what I have with others without expecting anything in return, and with a feeling of gratitude, affection, and satisfaction for the experience ... "
Texto Silvia Mope and Fátima Ramos
Photos: Silvia Mope