📌 Edition #29
📆 February 2023
📌 Edition #29 📆 February 2023
📸Snaps of the month
🌞 Vacation Camps (4) 👩🏻🎤 “Crazy hairstyle” day at camps 🛫Visitors Group (UrbanServe) 💆🏽♀️ “Spa & facial treatment” option at camps 🗿Copán Ruins visit w/ Urban Trekkers 🎇Appreciation visits to local churches 🧩 Camps parents meeting 🌱Casa Retoño reveal 🚴🏻♀️Cycling training w/ UrbanTrekkers 🏅Youth appreciation afternoon
Why aren’t you crying?
Like many times before, everyone is in a circle. One by one they go to the front but break down before they even say the first word.
Some choose to make a little joke to hide their true emotions. Others try to read aloud their handwritten speeches, but nothing works, the power of their own words betray them.
Two children break the circle and go to the back to cry; two youth leaders chase them, holding back their own tears. A young man steps forward and collapses to his knees, wiping his tears. The smallest girl in the bunch runs to hug him.
Those who cry know how to comfort; those who comfort can't help but cry too. No youth leader can form a complete sentence, but all the kids receive the spirit of their speeches; this was a unique vacation camp, and they will miss seeing each other every day.
“Farewell Party” a sign in bright colors and filled with emojis reads.
Vacation camps are 3-week, 3-hour-a-day programs where the children play, learn and grow hand in hand with the youth leaders. How is it possible that in such a short time, everyone—both kids and youth leaders —is so devastated? It wasn’t like the campers were moving to another city or country! Most of them are neighbors, and their families have known each other for years.
These tears are due to a deep wisdom that has permeated them all equally and a discernment that most adults lack. We grownups have popularized a phrase when we describe our childhood and youth: we were happy and didn't know.
But these youth and children, oh boy, do they know. They see the end of this charming camp, the lovely ecosystem they've created together, and are wise enough to appreciate it and each other TODAY. A group of buddies of various ages with whom they form lifelong relationships.
One of the reasons these kids are so knowledgeable is because of their harsh backgrounds. UPH may be the first place they find a hug and a listening ear, a guide who surrounds and listens to them.
We aim to impact the lives of those who integrate our programs. In such a way that a 21-day camp is a moment when you are happy, and you KNOW it.
If you're part of this, if you make it happen alongside us, why aren't you crying?
It's because you weren't there. Nobody could resist this scene. We hope you consider visiting us. We can't wait to cry together.
Of course, by the end of the day, they were all bouncing in air castles and eating cake.
Just another day at the office in UPH.
