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More than a camp!
Transcarpathia: the Beregszász chapter of the Malteser Charity Service held the fourth Summer Camp for Youth and Disabled on 15-20 July. True, the four camps took place over a period of 17 years - the only two consecutive ones were this year's and last year's.
This year the camp was held in Karácsfalva, hosted by the beautiful Greek Catholic High School.
The youngsters had a good time, of course, but they were also enriched spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. Thanks to our friend István Demény from Szolnok, the children learned about Mongolia, the Czech Republic, and the wonders of the world from Africa to the South Pole. We visited the Kurucz-Fest festival, one of the major cultural events of Transcarpathia, where they experienced folk dancing, folk music and traditional crafts, and at the end of the day they rode the giant Ferris wheel to get a bird's-eye-view of the festival and of the land all around.
Opportunities for sports and various diversions, from archery and swimming to karaoke, campfires and fun evenings - every day provided interest and a wonderful atmosphere. Still, the most important was the "plus" gained by all, children and adults alike, through the evening prayers and through special tasks that taught them the importance of listening to each other, helping and sharing. Special mention should be made of games and tasks that let healthy children feel what it is like to have a disability: they were made to complete tasks blindfolded, or without using their legs or arms, or sitting in a wheelchair. This taught them to empathize with their companions, and to understand how to help appropriately, instead of feeling sorry for them.
Many thanks to all who helped and supported us financially, morally, materially or with their time, enabling 40 youngsters to have such an unforgettable time among themselves and with their helpers. At the end of the camp, it was moving to see the tearful goodbyes of kids who, a week earlier, had not even known each other. "See you again next year, in this same place!"
We do hope we will be able to organise the camp again next year, and transmit to even more children, both healthy and disabled, the values that are important to us.
Many thanks from the Beregszász District Malteser Charity Service!
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