This month, 12 young people from four countries gathered for two weeks in Puebla, Mexico to work with Susila Dharma project Usaha Mulia Abadi (UMA). Volunteers completed ecological tasks to help UMA promote environmental awareness, hosted educational activities in the community, and did personal development exercises that challenged them to feel their responsibility to uplifting the human condition locally and globally. The result was an experience that visibly affected many volunteers’ lives.
The camp ran from 3rd to 17th July with the participation of volunteers from Mexico, Colombia and Portugal – 4 Subud volunteers, 5 non Subud volunteers – plus 2 facilitators and 5 project members. It was the second camp and the first time we invited Subud and non Subud volunteers which turned it into a very interesting experience.
Here’s what Osanna Favre from Australia, one of the camp organizers and facilitators has to say:
“The first week we supported the work of UMA: got in touch with nature by clearing the forest, made compost bins for recycling waste, got creative and designed/built gardens for the grounds and built the water collection system for one of the buildings to re-use rain water. The second week we ran art workshops with the local children about the 4 elements, taught them how to respect and care for them, and the volunteers dressed up and put on a play about the spiritual origins of creation (i.e. the elements, the different human races).
Volunteers taking a break from getting in touch with nature
“Intertwined throughout the camp were self-development activities that helped volunteers reflect on their journey, their lives and the volunteer experiences. Volunteers came away with very strong feelings of friendship with everyone, discovered things about themselves for their lives and discovered love for one another and the community. Overall the camp had many unexpected surprises, one of them being the discovery of the power of the human force within each and every one of us and its ability to love every human being!”
A life-changing experience
This is borne out by the following testimony from one of the camp participants, 21 years old.
“At first, I just expected it to be a two-week camp to help poor people and clean Usaha Mulia Abadi’s forest. However, it turned into a life-changing experience for me.
“During this time I discovered personal skills I didn’t know I had, and I gave myself the opportunity to try activities I would have never attempted to do in other situations, such as acting in a play or working with garden tools. Moreover, we had some activities in which I analyzed my life. These helped me to appreciate my past and present, and made me think of my future desires.
“I really enjoyed every second in this camp. It changed my vision …”
“In this project I met many extraordinary people. All of us formed a very united and effective team that accomplished outstanding results in San Miguelito [the local town], the workshops about sustainability we offered, the forest we cleaned, etc. Everybody was always making a great effort and paying attention to what was needed. Each person taught me different valuable things that I will remember all my life.
“I really enjoyed every second in this camp. It changed my vision and encouraged me to become a better human being.”
According to Rasjidah Flores, camp organizer, it was an interesting group – volunteers aged from 17 to 26, from different backgrounds and with different expectations:
“The first days were a little bit strange, everyone trying to adapt to the place without technology and also to the group and the activities, but everything fell into place day by day. The volunteers’ enthusiasm soon became obvious and suddenly each one started to take care of Usaha Mulia Abadi. Some volunteers expressed it was very interesting for them to know more about the community, the social and economical issues in the area. For some of them it was the first time they had LIVED the things they hear, study, watch on TV. Others commented that hearing the explanations and experiences of the UMA team in the community, made them understand the value of their work and motivated them.
Creative work with local children
“This workcamp was special because it changed lives. Volunteers experienced something unique and special. Some people found what they were looking for. It is also a valuable support for projects. Some of the activities that volunteers did, could take a long time for the project to develop and with a group of 11 volunteers working there, the tasks were possible to accomplish. Volunteers bring to the place and the team a breath of fresh air that motivates them to continue working.”
As we move into preparing for next year’s camp, we invite you to think about several things:
- How are you involved in your community?
- How are you contributing to peace and goodwill in today’s hectic global society?
- What youth (maybe that’s you? your children? their friends?) would you like to attend such a camp?
- Why not talk to them about it and support them (financially or morally) to take part?
Practising nobility is a universal cause. So young or old, spread the word! Encourage others! Challenge yourself! Donate! Write to us (we love to hear from you)! Join hands and help support The Human Force!
***We are donating countless hours, but we need financial contributions to keep this good work up!! Click here to make your tax-deductible donation. We thank you!!
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us to make it this far. We’re making it happen, one camp at a time!***
Alex Woodward, Osanna Favre, Rasjidah Flores