Summer Fun

August 2006

Retreat for all Youth Life workers
Each year a retreat is set up just for the youth workers, a time where they can relax together and recharge their batteries. A flexible programme is set up where leaders can learn to relax and just enjoy life. This time is important for the team to be able to assess all that has happened the past year so that new strength and inspiration can be found for the next year.



Youth leaders relaxing on the retreat




Summer workshops
This year for the first time Youth Life did not hold a summer camp but held several weeks of day camp activities in the city of Khujand. The idea was to create an environment like a camp but that only lasted for a day. The workshops that were held were: cooking, gardening, break dance, modern dance, traditional dance, business, crafts and many others. Many younger children came to these workshops as they could go home in the evenings. It was a good time with lots of fun. At the end of each week long workshop a celebration was held and everyone danced and sang and ate lots of food.



Children having a good time at the summer workshops




Clubs in more detail
Youth Life has been working for almost 8 years in Tajikistan helping young people where they live. One of the main ways it works is by holding interactive youth clubs in 4 cities. There are 29 youth clubs and 1500 young people attend these clubs each week. The clubs also have their own vision, business, outings, plans and program. There are clubs in different languages some are in Tajik and some in Russian. Additional to the clubs each youth leaders visits the family of at least 2 children at home each week, to keep them updated about who we are and what we are doing and if we can help in any other way.

Getting a Global Vision

July 2006

Highlights:

Second team to Bulgaria
Due to the success of the first team to Bulgaria a second trip was planned. After the break dancers returned it was necessary to send some back again to maintain the break dance that had been started and to build a team. Two youth leaders were able to go to Bulgaria for 6 weeks to help continue this work. There are plans in the future to keep partnering with other organizations in Bulgaria to learn from them and to give them the things we have learnt.


The Guys in Bulgaria teaching break dance to Gypsy youth










UKRAINE


Two teams to the Ukraine
6 Youth leaders had the chance to travel and visit the Ukraine. The trips turned out to be a great time. The first team of youth leaders traveled to Kiev to visit other youth works in the city. To see how others are working with young people and to learn from them. For many it was their first time ever abroad and the whole experience was like an education. New friends were made and relationships formed. The second team attended a youth camp outside of Kiev where they were leading teams of youth for a week. The camp was held in the forest and was a very busy and effective time. Both teams learnt a lot from these trips as their world view grew. There are now plans for other teams to travel again so they can learn more and inspire more young people at home to travel to increase their potential and abilities.


The team that went to Kiev




Eldar with new friends in the Ukraine