Mavuno Camp started on June 25th for all the off-campus children and their siblings. 40 youths aged 11-20 arrived Sunday afternoon, tired from their long travels on public transportation, but looking forward to the week.
The first day was spent attending orientation and getting settled in. The girls were placed in the almost completed Family House 3, while the boys slept in the Team House attic and guest room.
Each morning began with exercises, chai, and sessions. After breakfast, the morning was filled with drama practice and personal devotions along with a few games and sessions.
The sessions were about sexual purity, salvation, creation, AIDS/HIV, Bible youths, and other various topics that applied to the kid’s lives. The speakers were several staff and board members, as well as the camp counselors.
The kids were divided into four teams of blue, green, red, and yellow. The blue team was the winner at the end of camp week because they memorized the most verses, and had the best behavior and attitudes during the games.
Three of the kids memorized 40 verses and were awarded a prize for their accomplishments. Joseph Malelo and Naomi Motomoto were given soccer balls for having the most Christ-like attitudes during the camp week.
Charlie and Jen Mann, Elliot Heumier, and Shaina, Seth and Tate Powell were present during the camp and organized the games. They also developed strong relationships with many of the kids. Each day they had a total of three hours a day to play outside games with the camp members. The youths learned many new games and also thoroughly enjoyed the water balloons provided by the team from Montana.
A dental group arrived mid-week to inspect all of the kids’ teeth. They pulled a few but most of the kids were in tip-top shape. Unlike a typical dental office, they had a great view of the lake from the Helsby’s back porch. The rest of the youths made various beaded creations while they waited to be examined.
The mealtimes were held at Family House 3 and consisted mostly of rice, beans, meat, ugali (thick, boiled maize), daaga (small fish cooked whole), and fruit. The boys hungrily devoured a great portion of the food at every meal.
The team also provided shirts for the kids to decorate and there were many creative ideas.
The last night of camp, a large bonfire was lit at the beach and the kids gathered to sing before a lengthy discussion led by John Mbugua and Dan Tanner. Each kid was given a stick to put on the fire to make it blaze brightly. This symbolized that, with the help of every child, Mavuno could shine as a bright light in Tanzania.
On the day of departure the kids packed their belongings and were driven out to the main road where they would take their various transports back home. Tearfully, they said goodbye to their newfound friends and the Mavuno campus, with renewed energy and commitment to God.
