KidsGames in Picoco, Boane

The final stage of a sports ministries training is to organize a Children Activity where students aplly all the tools and concepts learned during the week of training, using sports and games as a teaching tool, through experiential learning and creativity to teach life and bible values.

It was a rainy and cold day and gradually the children arrived at the camp.



Some of them bring their little brothers/sisters carrying them on their backs. This is a social reality, everywhere, with children being exposed to adult life style and roles.

But this is a special day and the key word is PLAY. We need to provide a great day to these kids and teach them values through the games:



Jumping with the rope



Pulling the rope



Wheelbarrow race



Long Jump



Blindman's bluff

 After all the fun, it is time to talk and to reflect on what can we learn with all those activities. Important to know what can we do to make our lives different and better, in the middle of all the problems and needs.

1-2-3 Training in Boane

During 6 days, 21 youth leaders from different communities of Maputo province, gathered in Picoco, a small village, 25 miles away from the capital city.
The first 20 miles we drive in a paved road but the final 5, you need a 4x4.

Some will walk to the training camp, other will take a ride from someone.

The best part of the dust road!

As we arrive at the Youth for Christ center, the group prepares for 6 intense days. We only have 4 rooms, 2 for the dorms, 1 for the classroom and the last one for dinning. The kitchen is open air.

Experiential Learning, Creative Games and Sports, Teaching Methods is just a part of the subjects to study. During the week all are challenged to make a difference in their generation and to make a commitement to reach the children at the community.

Some sessions are very practical and students are challenged to build their own ministry projects and to test the learned principles and tools.



Planning the KidsGames program



Small groups discussion

 

Experiential Learning


Last day, all that have completed the program receive their Certificate and are challenge to go back to their communities and make a difference!

Do Bicycles Equal Development in Mozambique?

This is the title of a book writen by Joseph Hanlon e Teresa Smart about development in Mozambique.

Anyway, it's impossible to talk about bicycles without thinking on Quelimane, capital of Zambézia province.

Here, bicycles rule! By far the main transportation in the city, where you can take a ride anywhere to everywhere, paying only 5 Mts, around US $0,20.

Anyway you can still use the "classic way" of a car, but make sure you have all you need in case of a flat tire! We didn't check our car, and... the needed "jack" wasn't there!

Thanks to the goodwill of our mozambican friends,  we could lift the car...

And improvise...

It worked!

Happy Birthday Mariana

Mariana is now 12 years old! WOW! Time really flies...
Pimpão, our cat, is 2 year old and he was part of the party too.

Mother and daughter, smile to the camera... or to the cameraman?

1-2-3 Training in Xai - Xai

Capital city of Gaza province, Xai - Xai is 200 Km far from Maputo.

During 6 days, 40 youth leaders from 26 churches were part of another training in sports ministries, including teaching methods, experiential learning and leadership principles.

On the last day, a practical application of the learning, through a KidsGames Experience with the kids from a poor community from Bairro Patrice Lumumba, at a local orphanage:

10th All Africa Games - Maputo 2011

More than 5000 athletes from 38 African countries are together in Maputo competing for the Gold, in 20 sports.

Living at the Olympic Village, equipped with 848 brand new apartments, the athletes can rest, train, and look for spiritual help and counselling at the Christian Center Tent.

More Than Gold is a partnership of different churches and agencies, to serve the athletes and the local communities around major sport events.