Fr. Francois Noah Onguéné
The annual youth camp during holiday time in Kabala that is oriented as first evangelization. It began this year from the last week of academic school. And it lasted two weeks. During this time, we introduced the children from pre-school, primary and secondary school to Christianity.
The goal was not to make them Christian, but to help those who are Muslims or from other religious traditions to get some knowledge about Christianity so that if it happens that they have to marry a Christian partner, they know already something about the Christian faith. So, how was the camp prepared, uted, and lived during these two weeks? This camp had several phases. It began with a long period of preparation initiated by Fr Victor Bongiovanni. In this first phase, a long period of advertising and promoting in various schools in the town was done with a clear invitation to participate in this unique event in Kabala. The second phase, kicked in with several sessions in which he trained the animators and youth about the camp and their role before, during and after this event. Here animators were divided into groups according to the classes of students which go from pre/school to secondary passing through the primary school. The last phase consisted in putting the camp into ution with an estimate number from the first day attendance of over one thousand children organized into their school level. The program was the following: Gathering at 9:00 A.M. following with instruction and the celebration of the Eucharist. The formation activity was presented to the children in appropriate ways. From pre-school to class four, children were exposed to their own creativity through the drawing or the painting of some of the drawings. From class five to secondary, the animators presented a catechetical theme about the Catholic Church. Next was the presentation of a film which culminated with sending the children back home in order to get some launch. After launch, sports activities filled the period of the afternoon which concluded around 6:00 pm. These activities have lasted two weeks except Saturday and Sunday. What are some of the effects of the camp? The camp has created an atmosphere of joy, and the children have received various rewards for their good behavior, strong commitment, best performance in their activities and so on. These activities for two weeks kept them out of the street and gave them the occasion to know themselves through various activities and competitions, and provided them with some glance knowledge about the Catholic Church and Jesus. It confirmed its main purpose which is first evangelization in a context where Islam is the main religion. At the same time it eased the possible potential tensions between Muslims and Christian partners and people.
The annual youth camp during holiday time in Kabala that is oriented as first evangelization. It began this year from the last week of academic school. And it lasted two weeks. During this time, we introduced the children from pre-school, primary and secondary school to Christianity.
The goal was not to make them Christian, but to help those who are Muslims or from other religious traditions to get some knowledge about Christianity so that if it happens that they have to marry a Christian partner, they know already something about the Christian faith. So, how was the camp prepared, uted, and lived during these two weeks? This camp had several phases. It began with a long period of preparation initiated by Fr Victor Bongiovanni. In this first phase, a long period of advertising and promoting in various schools in the town was done with a clear invitation to participate in this unique event in Kabala. The second phase, kicked in with several sessions in which he trained the animators and youth about the camp and their role before, during and after this event. Here animators were divided into groups according to the classes of students which go from pre/school to secondary passing through the primary school. The last phase consisted in putting the camp into ution with an estimate number from the first day attendance of over one thousand children organized into their school level. The program was the following: Gathering at 9:00 A.M. following with instruction and the celebration of the Eucharist. The formation activity was presented to the children in appropriate ways. From pre-school to class four, children were exposed to their own creativity through the drawing or the painting of some of the drawings. From class five to secondary, the animators presented a catechetical theme about the Catholic Church. Next was the presentation of a film which culminated with sending the children back home in order to get some launch. After launch, sports activities filled the period of the afternoon which concluded around 6:00 pm. These activities have lasted two weeks except Saturday and Sunday. What are some of the effects of the camp? The camp has created an atmosphere of joy, and the children have received various rewards for their good behavior, strong commitment, best performance in their activities and so on. These activities for two weeks kept them out of the street and gave them the occasion to know themselves through various activities and competitions, and provided them with some glance knowledge about the Catholic Church and Jesus. It confirmed its main purpose which is first evangelization in a context where Islam is the main religion. At the same time it eased the possible potential tensions between Muslims and Christian partners and people.