Youth Outreach Program (and HIV/AIDS Marathon): NOV. 29-DEC 1st!!

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Hello and please read about this fantastic program below! If you want to attend,

please contact Francis Opiyo at francis@... . This workshop will

culminate in the first " World AIDS Marathon " (originally scheduled for Nairobi

but moved to Mbita) on December 1st. Be a part of a great event and unite for

educational and life-saving activities! Thanks much and all best wishes, Janet

To work and learn together, visiting, reaching the unreached, & crossing borders

Youth Outreach Sunday, November 07,

2004

HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW THEMSELVES

THE TEAM

Through service and cultural exchange we want to develop a sense of how we

belong and in what way we choose to impact the world we live in. Mbita Mission

is planned to take place in a nearby, yet distant lands: Kibera slums in

Nairobi, through Ogiek community (North Tinderet), to Lake Islands

(Mbita-Nyanza province) crossing the Border to Siaya reaching Mama na Dada

project (Uyoma East) before running back to the Capital City –Nairobi. Combining

adventure, study and service, we will explore the language, the culture and the

wildlife/environs of these awe-inspiring regions. The three Teams consist of

young people aged 5-30 years from Kibera (Nrb), Ogiek (Nakuru), Uyoma, Mfangano

Island and Mbita Team, need to assemble at Mbita (EDTEC-ICIPE, Mbita) on

November 29th- 1st Dec 2004 for this outreach Mission. The registration of

groups are still going on and you can submit the name of your group if you want

to participate.

MISSION

To work and learn together, to develop the innate gifts and capacities that live

in each group, to promote positive activism and making a difference, and to

contribute to the well-being of others. We endeavor to fulfill our mission

through experiential learning, service programs and holistic outdoor education.

Through our commitment, experience, and expertise at our onsite projects we aim

to work towards building a relationship with our partners that will last a

lifetime. As a team we aim at providing a top-notch holistic outdoor/indoor

education. We provide young people with safe and exciting opportunities along

with great empowerment - a combination that can't be beat!

EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES:

In the process of our two-three days Visit to Mbita which is scheduled on

November 29-1st December 2004 we do aim to exchange ideas in these areas:

1. Leadership programe

Leadership is challenging and intriguing, exciting and complex. This unique

programe is designed for teens/youths to bring action to their ideals,

experience to their passion. An absorbing program includes adventuring with

peers, study with activist mentors, exploring issues of diversity and mentoring

younger students (comparing past and present). Under this program we’ll pose

many questions:

How will I find my place in the world? Identify my potential/Talent?

What will I change and how will I do it?

How can I inspire others to join with me?

Here we can tackles difficult issues of social justice and authority, and how to

find inner motivation in a world that can seem overwhelming and frightening.

Participants will have the opportunity to design their own community governance

system, live it, and then dramatize it. This will enables us to exchange ideas

and help young people who are searching for deeper meaning in their lives.

2. Challenge Point:

What is a Challenge Point? It is adventure, independence and close friendship.

It's potential/talent programme. This includes mountain Climbing, ball games,

boat riding, dramas, singing, reciting poems, home visits (door to door

fellowship) and canoeing. It's being outrageous and being creative and being

yourself. It's discovery and diversity and acceptance. It's about choice and

it's about sharing. And it's about the most incredible thing you will ever

experience. This is planned to be based on the Island or at Mbita Hills for one

day.

3. Debating Programe.

Should we do these or should we not…..Is it safe or not safe……This one is better

than this…and so many other topics that will be chosen by the leaders to debate

on. The topic will feature mostly on AIDS, relationships, Moral Behaviour,

Lifestyle and freedom of choice among other things. Participants will experience

common purpose and profound connection by engaging in a series of unique,

challenging activities.

WHAT TO BRING

· ·Signed release form. For everyone including adults--even if they are just

observing or photographing.

· Dress appropriate to the activity to the local community believes. Bring

rain gear, and warm clothes for the team might be in the lake, its sometimes

cold

· Sturdy footwear -- sandals or slip-ons for evening walk. Tennis shoes are

also fine.

· A substantial nutritious snack that is easy to get to can be carried if

you wish. IMPORTANT: Each person may have his or her own water in a quart size

water bottle though some may be bought locally. Otherwise we have running water

which is treated.

· Optional but recommended depending on your choice: bug repellent,

sunscreen and sun hat.

· If your group is coming in several vehicles, please stay together the

entire way so you arrive at the same time and don’t lose anyone.

· We highly recommend for the leader or organizer to send in the list of the

participants earlier (Name, and Sex) for the whole.

Note:

· Leaders will be prompted for any thing that needs to be included as the

preparation is still going on. Any additional message, feel free to add or

inquire.

· Get intouch so that you can be informed the Fee to be paid apart from your

Transport fee (of which your team need to organize)

For more details get in touch with:

Francis Opiyo

EDTEC Training Coordinator

P.o Box 337, Tel +254 0720394295/02540720710867

E-mail: francis@...