I almost can't believe what I'm seeing. Three weeks ago, I sat down with a local and a Sudanese refugee in an empty room to create a Day Camp pilot program. Everything was from scratch - literally;  All we had was an empty apartment with some chairs and one table.

Today the room is full with over 30 Sudanese refugee children, grasping notebooks and pencils, who attend the Day Camp on a regular basis, four days a week.

To this perfectionist, the Day Camp felt very “thrown together at the last minute”. But “wahed-wahed”, step by step, we have been learning and improving the camp each day.

Two Sudanese refugees are now directing the center and teaching classes: Arabic, math, Bible, and guests (like me) teach English. I am so happy that even though Hope for MENA volunteers started the Day Camp, the Sudanese are now running it. They're in charge of planning, maintaining the space, teaching, and seeing to the kids’ needs. Hope for MENA aims to see local leaders emerge from the ministries initiated.

Today the kids got a surprise when a group from Holland showed up to spend the afternoon with them. The children got to try Stroopwafel cookies, learn the story of Zaccheus, color with new markers, eat lunch, and sing songs. The team from Holland even learnt a song in Arabic! (Well, the actions anyway…)

Imagine a day for the refugee children without this Day Camp: their parents have no money for school fees, so the kids stay at home or run around the streets - all year! With such a low income, they live in poverty, and get into trouble for lack of things to do. They run around dusty streets, full of garbage, with no structure or incentive to learn.

The Dutch team offered hope and joy today, when they gave their time, their tasty treats, their attention, and school supplies to the eager children. Hope for MENA hopes to continue supporting the Center of Hope to encourage hope and joy in learning for the next six months. With God’s provision, the thirty students will be able to enter regular school, making room for a new group of students in dire need of the hope education and God’s love can bring.

1. Pray that all regular students at the Center of Hope Day Camp can enter regular school full time in August.

2. Pray for wisdom for the two Sudanese staff running the school - remember, everything is from scratch!

3. Pray for the visiting Dutch team: that God’s love will be evident in them as they bless poor communities in North Africa.

1. Consider a financial gift towards a refugee child’s education. More info here.

2. Consider a financial gift towards an education initiative in your own area.

3. Consider volunteering or helping someone you know get a “leg up” in terms of education.

1. Ask a teacher or student you know how you can support them in prayer.

2. Thank God for teachers or wise people who made a big impact on your life.

3. You're invited to join us! Consider volunteering with us. More info here.

by B. Epp