A Camp of Inspirational Life Examples
On the last Sunday of August, Caritas minibuses and cars headed toward the guesthouse of the Saint Gellért Foundation in Băile Selters. They brought to the camp children from Gheorgheni, Tîrgu-Mureș, Cristuru Secuiesc, Zetea, Őrkő and Zăbala. These were students from V-VIII and IX–XII grades, who had already been openly and curiously involved in the Rise project, initiated by Caritas Alba Iulia for young people and sponsored by the European Union. We are talking about a complex program the aim of which is to provide teenagers with a stable foundation for their upward development, whether it be continuing long-term studies, choosing a profession, or entering the labor market.
In a friendly environment
I traveled with the team from Tîrgu-Mureș, together with the 9th grade students of the „Serafim Duicu” Secondary School and my Caritas colleagues, youth mentors Éva Bojoievschi and Áron Székely. At the airport we were joined by Alexandra Kékesi, who, as a mentor, also guides the steps of some promising young talents at the Autonomia Foundation in Budapest. It was drizzling, we were advancing slowly, but the lively, fast rhythms in the background lifted our spirits.
Upon arrival we counted twenty-three students, but with mentors and accompanying people we were nearly forty. Coming from different regions, we began getting to know each other already at dinner. The most important personal details were shared only afterwards, through team-building games. From these games the most interesting was the one named „Loup Garou”, because it required much attention, patience, self-control and keen observation. We relied especially on hearing, since we had to identify with closed eyes the werewolves, elders, little spy girls, sorcerers or simple villagers hidden among us. The game was also an excellent mental exercise, as it pushed us to make concrete, well-founded arguments. The atmosphere soon turned into playful teasing and lively jokes, and young people from different regions, together with us, had formed a cheerful and friendly company till late night had come.
Breathe in – Breathe out
In the morning we greeted the day and each other with movement. We inhaled the oxygen-rich air and the pleasant scenery of the green area. The regular rhythm of inhaling and exhaling, the stretching and strengthening exercises were led by Imola Füzi, yoga instructor and at the same time the Transylvanian manager of the Rise project. Our mentors – Levente András, Zenkő Bekő Fóri, Éva Bojoievschi, András Borbély, Kinga Györfi, Alexandra Kékesi, Ottilia Kovács, Áron Székely, Norbert Tókos and István Fenyédi, one of the educators of the Family-Type Center in Cristuru Secuiesc – also joined the children in the morning gymnastics.
In authentic relationship
After having some toast with eggs and coffee for breakfast, we created a Facebook-Wall with instant portrait photos, so that, in the absence of signal and social networks, we could communicate playfully in a real community space. We continued the acquaintance begun the previous evening with other games, until we could focus sufficiently on the upcoming programs.
A story about identity
We discussed identity. We talked about the environment in which we were born, about assumed or imposed roles, about ones belonging, language, customs and culture. We spoke about different Roma clans, such as the Gábor Gypsies or Hatmakers, the Tented Gypsies, the Coppersmith Gypsies, the Musicians, the Scavengers and the so-called Domestic Gypsies. It was a captivating discussion about the origins of the names of different groups, about their customs, rules, behaviors and crafts. The children got involved actively and enthusiastically, correcting and interrupting each other, sharing information and facts with the community. Yet we also sensed deeply painful stories behind some remarks. Later we watched an animation movie created with remarkable artistic sensitivity and humor, based on a Roma-origin legend. The story was collected by Ágnes Daróczi, written by Géza Czipott and the film itself was illustrated by Teréz Orsós. From the short movie we learned how God created people, how He delighted in their uniqueness and diversity and also in their common essence, in which He saw Himself reflected.
„Who has seen a swallow in winter? / Who has seen a woman with black legs?”
That is how the song began, taught to us by flutist Renáta Ioni, accompanied on guitar by Roland Kaly. It was a wonderful song, with a melody and content that carried us along. We sang it with joy, tasted the lyrics, hummed the tune. The atmosphere grew warmer.
In dialogue with the Living Library
The music and singing together created a friendly environment. Children were open to talk, to ask questions and even to listen to each other. They curiously followed the life stories of the guests. They asked about their careers, about the decisions they made and also about their personal lives` details.
This is how they learned about Roland Kaly, that before pursuing a musical career, he became a hairdresser, since family and acquaintances came to him for haircuts during his school years. He recounted how he prepared for the talent show, how he spent his days between singing lessons, dancing, rehearsals, nocturnal wake-ups and late night practice, so that he could confidently step on stage and sing clearly. He loved singing and playing on his guitar, so he turned his dream into a goal and worked to achieve it. Today he lives as a musician-singer and mentioned with modesty that he also composes songs. He acknowledged that learning, self-development and perseverance are indispensable for reaching ones goals. He strengthened this thought in children. He asked them about their interests and motivated them to take concrete actions. „I want to be a good person” – he answered the last question, while his story and presence had an inspirational effect on those around.
At the other table, Renáta Ioni spoke about her success, but also about her sacrifices and struggles. She said that she attended an art school and because – besides the usual subjects – she also studied flute, she rarely had time to play outside with friends. The flute required constant, persistent practice. She loved music and flute, she consciously wanted to follow a musical career, so she accepted life challenges since childhood: injured lips from long rehearsals, lack of free time and later other challenges. She worked abroad, she saw and learned a lot. Back home, besides her musical career, she also runs a small tobacco shop in Miercurea Ciuc. Together with her partner, she encouraged the children to dare to dream, to believe they can succeed and to do something to realize their dreams. They spoke about life abroad, which was full of work and experiences at the same time. They encouraged young people to go abroad if possible, because every new experience broadens horizons, their way of thinking. In addition, they urged them to read as much as possible.
At the third table sat Alexandra Kékesi. She did not tell stories. She asked questions. She aroused the children’s curiosity. She challenged them to guess her life story. The young people accepted the game. They described her with the most varied ideas, colored her life. They had much intuition, interpretation skills and good knowledge of people, because they guessed much about Alexandra. For example, that she works in a social organization, that she has a car and a driving license. Alexandra completed the painted image about herself, specifying that she works as a mentor. She emphasized one of the consciously used tools in her mentor-teacher work through the interactive conversation she initiated with the young people. Her behavior was friendly and attentive. Children felt this and trustfully shared with her details of their personal stories. These were precious moments through which their relationships deepened.
Games, fire, dancing
Beyond learning about different professions and life paths, the day was imbued with light cheerfulness. A badminton shuttlecock fluttered in the air, the soccer ball rolled across the grass and colorful pieces spread across the football table. As darkness fell, the campfire came alive and the good mood turned into a captivating dancing.
A festival hidden behind the workshops
On the 2nd of September, the planning of an imaginary festival provided the framework for all the workshops where children could practically experience various crafts.
The first group organized a Roma music festival in the event management workshop led by Alexandra Kékesi. Ideas were flying, markers were scribbling on papers, sometimes thoughtful silence interrupted the planning, then the spicy offers of the PR workshop`s participants brought the dreamers back to reality, until they reached a common consensus.
In the second group, participants could taste the work of PR – in other words the communication and public relations officers` job – under the guidance of Gabriela Urs, a third-year student at Sapientia University in Tîrgu-Mureș, specializing in communication. The children in the PR team also created a poster and a crest together with Éva Bojoievschi, which they offered as visual identity elements to the organizing team. Some of the materials were made using the special engraving technique.
Meanwhile, in Norbert Tókos’s wood carving workshop, hardworking young people worked on hand-crafted wooden decorative elements for the festival. It was serious, profound work, which the team members later remembered fondly. The event’s delicacies were prepared by the apprentices of the cooking workshop, who, under the guidance of Éva Gerebenes, made a tasty Romanian dessert for the participants: Papanași.
A splash at the Vlăhița swimming pool and a camp closing dance
The morning workshops were followed by leisure activities at the Vlăhița swimming pools: splashing, chatting, board games and an interesting presentation took place. The presentation was held by the director of the bath enterprise about bath management and curiosities. In the evening we recalled joyful memories, among which reappeared the emotions of the event management workshop, the melodies of the new songs, the characters and stories of the Living Library, as well as the comforting calm of the wood carving workshop. Soon we lost ourselves again in dance, one last time, before returning home.
Translation: Karola Bartos-Siposs and Júlia Orbán
The camp was organized due to the financial support of the European Union. The event was co-funded by Renovabis. The opinions and statements expressed herein reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
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