Written by Josh, UK
The Sudanese from Nuba Mountain are a community who have faced some of the worst atrocities of the 21st century, including a genocide of innocent people ravaging their land for over 10 years. Entire villages and towns have been wiped out and families and children have been executed and brutally murdered.
Almost 150 Sudanese children took part in a two days camp which was full of bible classes, sport, and a variety of fun activities. The action-packed weekend took place at the Centre of Hope in North Africa which, on a day to day basis, is where the local Sudanese children attend school to learn Maths, English, Science and Arabic. However, the weekend it was transformed into a place of puppet shows, health classes, a dance studio, and a sporting haven!!
A team of volunteers spent two days sharing truths of the bible with the children, using creative mediums to engage with them, such as puppetry and song, all assisted by a translator to guarantee that not only did the kids have fun, but they also understood what they were being taught.
And so, whilst this community may be labelled as rejects, outcasts, and forgotten, the Hope for Mena is helping to restore the broken lives of these people. This community is learning what it means to smile again, to laugh again, to live again.
Groups of volunteers who have committed to North Africa come and offer hope and love to the outcast community of the Sudanese. This project aims to reach into the heart of the Sudanese community and provide health care, mental support, spiritual nourishment and education.
Seeing 150 children who have faced some of the most horrible brutalities possible be so joyful and freely happy is something no human can refuse to smile at. In the words of 8 year old Jacob who came along to both days: “This is the best day of my live.”
But children like Jacob, his friends and family all face many day-to-day hardships such as poverty, living in a foreign land and the trauma of the genocide. But maybe you are inspired by this work, maybe you want to help, maybe you too, like us, believe that there is no place like hope and that these children are worth fighting for...