The phrase time flies is so true. We really don't know where the summer term went and yet now we are starting our summer programme.
This term has been personally a difficult time when Mick lost his Dad to cancer quite suddenly. It is times like this that living away is particularly hard. We thank you for your prayers and support during this time.
Zabavna Vecer
The winning team from the Spring term Zabavna Vecer programme had a great time at the climbing wall in Mostar.
The young people have enjoyed the Friday evenings, so we continued with a similar format this summer term. The theme for this term was "Superheroes" and we divided the young people into 3 teams, Batman, Superman and James Bond. Every time the signature tune was played for their superhero they 'assumed the pose' of that character. Again talks were given at the end of each night in a form designed to positively build their character. These included - "not all hero stories are told" and "with great power comes great responsibility". Eleanor was told by one young person after an evening 'I really loved last night. I came along quite sad but I was not sad afterwards'.
The end of term finale had a James Bond theme and the girls dressed smartly (Bond girls!) and we gave out cocktails ie Sprite in a fancy cup and chocolate cakes. The winning team had a trip to the swimming pool in nearby Medugorje.
English Success
At the end of term the four successful students in the KET (Key English Test) were presented with their certificates. This was carried out in the town of Ljubuski (where the students live) and officiated by the Mayor of that town, Nevenko Barbaric. Ali and Ivica met Sandra who is head of Social and Community section in the town hall. She spoke perfect English as she had lived in Canada during her childhood. She was very enthusiastic about the work of Novi Most and asked us to set up in that town too!
The morning went very well. The local radio station was there as well as a journalist from Capljina. The speech was aired the following day and put in the local newspaper and on the Capljina portal, an internet news site for this area. local language link - google translated link. The student's mothers also attended the ceremony and afterwards, over coffee and cakes, expressed their thanks and great interest in Novi Most. It was such an encouragement.
Summer programme
In the summer of 2008 there were only 4 young people who attended the Novi Most camp from Capljina. This year ten of our young people have gone to Jahorina, a mountain area just outside Sarajevo. This camp is for young people aged 11-17 years. There will also be another camp - an English Camp for 18 - 25 year olds on the Croatian coast in which 12 students plan to attend. We Praise God that this ministry has grown so much in such a small space of time.
In Capljina we will be open every morning and evening for the different age groups attending. The theme for the summer is "The World" and each week we will look at a different country including Haiti, USA, India, South Africa, China, Mexico. The young people learn facts from the various activities that they then write in their 'passport' and there is a quiz at the end of each week.
Many Bosnians have a victim mentality and have a low opinion of themselves as a country. So to build up the confidence and self-esteem of our young people, we will be doing some fund raising activities for the people of Haiti. The young people will be encouraged to think of ideas on how to raise money for this worthwhile cause. The amount of money they raise is not important. This is intended to show them that they can take pride in their country, they don't have to think of themselves as victims always needing help from outside and that they are actually able to help others.
