THE TRIP TO UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

UrbanPromise Wilmington organized a field trip to the University of Delaware to give an opportunity to kids for them to learn more about college so that this can encourage them to work hard at school and develop an interest of going to college one day.  The kids who went on this trip came from all the five UrbanPromise Ministry sites and school.

There were a lot of things we did on this trip.  We took a tour of the college campus, played different games, learning about life at college, art and craft, and ice skating.

One thing I learned from this trip is that kids have a lot of good things to teach me when they are given the opportunity to do so.  On this trip, one of the things we did was ice skating.  It was my first time to do ice skating, and I didn’t know how to do it.  I was struggling to skate on the ice, and as a result, I was skating moving slowly along the wall. I fell down twice.  But when kids saw this, they motivated me to be courageous to skate without holding on the walks. They came to me several times to see how I am doing.  One of the kids, Maya of Camp Hope held my hand to help me to skate.  Zhavier encouraged me with words.  He said, “Come on Mr. John, you can do it, don’t give up!.”  This made me feel that I am loved cared for by the kids than I thought.  It also made me to realize that not only do I have something to offer or teach them, but also kids have a lot to teach me.  Some days later, when we met again at the camp, kids individually asked me about my ice skating experience.  I had to thank them, and let them know that what they did to me meant a lot.  What surprised me is that it was not only the kids who I work with helped me, but also kids of other camps were concerned and helped a lot. 

Not only did I saw love, concern and care in kids, but also in fellow staff members.  Joel, the co-director of Camp Hope encouraged me to skate.  I remember him saying, “You better take a risk if you want to learn how to skate.”  This motivated me to gather courage.  Jacque gave me free lessons which helped me to learn how o skate. She was so consistent.  She never gave up on me despite my struggles until I learned how to skate on my own.  It was a wonderful experience.  Because of the love and effort of these people in my life, I am proud to say that I now know how to skate on ice now.

During the college tour, kids asked the student tour guiders meaningful questions.  Kel, one of the kids asked one of them saying, “What qualifications do I need for me to go to college? When was this college built?”  And Jamar asked, “Shall I be staying here or at home when I come to college?”  Jamir asked, “What do you learn/study here?”  Another child asked, “How can I get a place here?”  Yes, there were a lot of meaningful questions kids asked.  The questions kids asked shows that they had interest to learn about college.  I believe this inspired many of the kids to work hard and know what they want to be when they finish school.  I can tell by their interests—wanting to know more about college.  Some kids shared with us of what they would like to be when they grow up.  It ranges from doctors, nurses, pilots, administrator, artists, teachers, and many more.  Our guiders encouraged kids that it is possible to achieve the dreams kids have.  Kids just need to work hard and be focused on what they would like to achieve.

By looking on the faces of the kids, I could tell that they were so excited about the trip to the University of Delaware.  I could see happy faces and smiles right away from the beginning of the trip to the finishing point.  When we came back home, college experience talks were talks of the day.  I could see them in groups talking about their experiences on this trip to each other.

AFRICAN FESTIVAL

Time	Saturday, May 21 · 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Location	First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown 101 Bridgeboro Road New Jersey 08057
Created By	John Alick Zakeyo
More Info	Join us on Saturday, May 21st for an African Festival, hosted by this year’s UrbanPromise International Fellows with the goal of raising awareness of life in Malawi, the work of UrbanPromise International, and to raise funds for child sponsorships. Charges: $10 per family,or $5 per person Buy Tickets Now at www.urbanpromiseinternational.org This event will include: A day in the life of a child” – a walk through the different scenes of a child’s life in Malawi. Learn how families live, about Malawi schools, and some of the challenges our children face day-to-day. Childrens crafts and activities Singing, Dancing & Drumming Food Tasting African Products & UrbanPromise International products for Sale Child Sponsorship opportunities www.urbanpromiseinternational.org

My Experiences Working With Kids in Malawi, Africa

The Impact of UrbanPromise International in the Life of Andrew

UrbanPromise International impact and change lives of different kids in Malawi through its different afterschool programs with an aim to make these children self reliant when they grow up.

I had a privilege to work with one of the five ministries of UrbanPromise Malawi for one year.  It was so exciting to work with the kids through this ministry.  I came to know and develop many meaningful relatonships with so many kids that I will live to remember and pray for the rest of my life.  I saw God using different people to change the lives of different children through the ministry programs.  One of the kids I developed meaningful relationship with was Andrew.  He is such a hard working young man who pays much attention with interest to you when you are speaking to him.  He asks you a lot of meaningful questions with a desire to learn more. 

I remember teaching him and his friends about the love of God, and the need for forgiveness.  He sat there in my class listening attentively with interest.  Little did I know why Andrew paid more attention and asked more questions until he later approached me after the class was over telling me how the lesson had changed his life completely.  He told me a story that he had a grudge against another person in his village.  As a result, they stopped talking to each other for three years.  This made him very uncomfortable.

When Andrew attended my lesson, things changed for the better.  It was his changing point.  He was convinced of my lesson, and decided to take action.  He went straight to the person he had a grudge with, apologized to him, and reconciled with him.  They are now good friends and are able to talk to each other on a friendly note.  Thanks to God for the lesson.  It completely changed his life.  The old is gone...and the new is come.  Andrew came and stood before his friends in class and narrated his story to us.  It was so exciting to hear his story and how God had used the lesson to change his life.  'I have learnt to forgive, and will teach others about it."  He said thi proudly before his fellow kids. 

 

Immagine you being in this situation.  What can you do?  Well, forgiveness is at the heart of Christian life....and if you believe in Jesus...the only way to deal with such issues is to forgive.  Why forgive?  God first forgave us....and we need to forgive one another.  Andrew is a good example of true forgiveness.  He took an initiative to forgive others.  I believe you too can learn from him and forgive others.  Forgiveness is not a mystery; it is a possibility.

God is really using this ministry to change lives of the kids and the communities.  I miss working with kids in Malawi now since I am in the United States of America.  I know God has many great things for these kids. It is my prayer that God will use the people who are there to advance God's Kingdom by witnessing to these kids.  You can take a step too.  Just pray for the kids, and the ministry in any aspect of prayer, and God is faithful to answer your prayers.

How Great is our God

My God is good all the time