"I learned about putting others before myself..."

A Teenager from Albania talks about his joy at Summer Camp

12-year-old Leonel lives with his family in a poor community on the outskirts of Durres, Albania

Durres was once a swamp. It frequently floods, reducing the unmade roads to mud, there is no proper sewage system or
water supply and the area was badly damaged by an earthquake in 2019.

Day to day essentials we often take for granted such as a nutritious meal are a constant struggle. Leonel’s mother works long hours in tailoring for low pay, while his father spends each day searching for employment, made more difficult now as a result of COVID-19. This leaves Leonel to take care of his little brother and do the household chores with no escape during the holidays. Mission Without Borders has been working in Eastern Europe for over 60 years, lifting families out of poverty and sharing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. We’re committed to enriching the whole lives of those in need, whether they need practical or spiritual care. Seeing the hopelessness and hardship of Leonel’s family, we’ve been helping them with regular food parcels, clothing and support.

 

Two years ago, Leonel went on one of our summer camps for the first time. He took part in sporting activities such as morning gymnastics and learnt to swim. In the afternoons he met with friends, learnt new skills like creative writing and spent time in worship and Bible studies.

At summer camp I learned about putting others before myself and I found it really fun. The Bible lessons and the example of Camp Counsellors showed me that serving others is the most satisfying and best way to live your life.


"I also learned at summer camp that bad language destroys both me and others and that lying brings nothing good in my life. The Most difficult thing is to react in the right way when someone acts badly towards me. I try my best not to be aggressive and mean."

Young people from difficult backgrounds will often act out any pain or rejection in anti-social ways. At Summer Camp their eyes are opened to a different way of living. There, they see young people who are Christians: There lives are also full of difficulties and challenges, but their attitudes and values are different. Summer Camp is a powerful way to reach children's hearts and to give them an unforgettable holiday where they can see for themselves what a loving community looks like.

Nikolino Kosta, the Mission Coordinator who works with Leonel's family, commented, "Usually summers are sad and lonely for him. Here I could see every day that he loved being part of summer camp.

As a Christian charity we want to respond to God's call to care for the poor and disadvantaged. Proverbs 22v6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go and even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

After the hard year so many of these children have had, the children and Mission Without Borders desperately want Summer Camps to take place in 2021. You can be a vital partner in making these camps happen. A gift of £11 would cover all the costs for one day’s camp for one vulnerable child. And if you were able to make a very special gift of £77 this would cover the costs of a full week for one child to attend camp.

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3,519

children and teenagers will go to summer camp this year with MWB

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