Dear supporters!

Thank you so much for your support in making Jewels of Hope Camp 2008 a great success.  One hundred and six children, plus twenty six leaders, enjoyed a week of fun, fellowship, singing, laughing, learning, eating, playing and making new friends.  The camp took place in Magaliesburg, South Africa from December 22, 2008 to December 27, 2008.  We had trainers and children from 6 different Jewels of Hope projects.  They represented the countries of South Africa and Lesotho. 

The days began with physical activities on the soccer field and then breakfast.  Then we met together in the hall for singing and devotions.  After that, was all the fun activities that the YFC camp had to offer.  The kids enjoyed a zip line (foofy slide), a bridge swing,   swimming & water games and hiking. 

We were all ready to eat by lunchtime  After lunch was free time and time to get ready for the afternoon competitions.  This was my favourite part of camp.  The projects had been practicing for months ahead of time to compete in singing, poetry, dancing, soccer, basketball (Netball), beading and drama.  Guess who won the beading competition for the trainers?

Yours truly (yep that’s me, Barbara). 

Then came supper...three full meals a day.

That was such a treat for these kids.  The evening sessions in the main hall were spiritually encouraging and motivational.  Here are some boys from Senekal working together to come up with the answers to the questions in the Bible drill. (see photo DSCN1594JPG) This was another highlight for me to see the children excited about learning God's Word.  We all enjoyed a late night coffee, tea, or hot cocoa (milo) and then lights out at 11pm.  What a thrill!!

This was a special time for all of us.  We came together from many miles (kilometers) apart to come together as Jewels of Hope.  We all have a common goal: to use Jewels of Hope's jewelry making/discipleship program model to grow these children up, in a positive way, to be the next leaders of their countries.  This week of camp was also a special time to let the children be children.  Most of them have a very hard life to live and was a pleasure it was to give them this week as a chance to leave the cares of the world behind for a week and enjoy life!

Thank you all for your prayers, finances and interest in these childrens' lives.  You are a vital part of this team!

 

For the children,

Barbara Clark

Jewels of Hope co-founder