Summer camp gives kids a chance to play games and unwind with friends in a safe space
Over the first few days of summer camp, as Blerina chatted with Xhenifer, the little girl told her about her biggest fear.
“I’m scared of the dark and Joel always scares me, to tease me,” she said.
Blerina said, “Xhenifer’s mother hasn’t told me about her fear. Maybe she isn’t aware of it. Most of the parents in our community are focused only on feeding their children and they don’t have the time to listen and understand their kids. It’s difficult for them to meet any other needs or responsibilities they might have towards their children because of all the other struggles they’re facing.”
Now that Blerina knows about Xhenifer’s fear, it’s easier for her to support her. The camp’s atmosphere, the worship and the face-to-face talks are helping Xhenifer’s fears to die down and she has been feeling more at peace.
Xhenifer told Blerina, “At camp, every day before breakfast we do gymnastics. Another thing I like at the camp is the beach. I also love the food – it’s very tasty and there are so many different things to eat. Wow, there are just so many things I’m learning here. I’m sleeping better, too.”
Xhenifer’s little brother, seven-year-old Joel, misses his father a lot when he’s away and he’s already plotting how to make everything better, not only for himself but for his friends.
“You know what?” Joel said. “I’m going to be a businessman when I grow up. First, I’m going to work as a waiter in a bar, and when I earn some money, I’ll open a small shop to sell everything that people need. After that I’ll open a bigger one, and then I’ll build a factory."
"My friends’ dads will work there, and they’ll no longer have to go beyond the border to find work, leaving their kids alone.”
“When kids have hardship early in life, it is such a strong predictor of early transitions to adult responsibility. They haven’t had that period of freedom from responsibility,” Blerina said, explaining why the fun and care that summer camp offers are so important.
She added, “When we come back home, I’ll continue to visit the families and be in contact with these children. I’ll support Xhenifer with her fear of the dark, by talking to her mother and helping the little girl to cope with it.”
Long after summer is over, many of them will trace back to summer camp the wonderful changes that have made all the difference to their peace of mind, their well-being, their knowledge of God’s love.
Summer camps have a lasting impact on children, creating the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe place. Help send more kids in need to camp and create life-long memories with a gift today.