Blog Archives - Page 6 of 8

72 Hours

72 Hours – ZAK Celebration of Voluntary Work Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK) has launched a Youth in Action funded project; 72 Hours. This project focuses on the value of voluntary work in Malta, especially the work carried out by youth, and the importance of investing and promoting active citizenship amongst youth. Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK) will be inviting young people and other youth organisations to collaborate in this project. The project 72 Hours will consist of a number of seminars tackling the subjects of creativity, innovation, employment and entrepreneurship, and artistic competitions amongst others. The main activity will be a 72 hour long marathon, organised between the 5th and the 8th of September 2013. Young people are being invited to carry out voluntary work in order to implement several different projects around the islands, both of a social and an environmental nature. The projects carried out can vary from organising a beach clean up to working with the elderly. Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK), the organisation coordinating the 72 Hours project, is an organisation that comprises of 700 members belonging to different groups around Malta. Every group meets on a weekly basis and not only has the opportunity to socialise but it also a process where the young people have the space to learn and grow. The youth have the possibility to experience educational opportunities based to develop the personal, social and spiritual identity of each individual. For further information regarding 72 hours project or on Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK), one can visit the site www.zakmalta.org/72hours or the Facebook page or follow us on Twitter “72 Hours Malta”.

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Kamp Sajf 2013

Blog, Kamp Sajf

TAG you’re it too – Kamp Sajf 2013 Kamp Sajf 2013, which was held between 18th and 25th August, was another amazing experience for about 500 youth members in ZAK. It was a week characterised by energy, creativity and generosity brought about by youths for other youths that form part of 45 youth groups that together make Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK) around Malta. TAG you’re it too was the title for this year`s Kamp Sajf, inspired by the strong theme that was featured in World Youth Day – “Go, and make disciples of all nations.” (Mt 28, 19) The theme was explored and developed in creative ways these last few months by groups of young adults from ages 16 and upwards, amongst various other commitments being leaders in youth groups at their respective parishes, ZAK activities and numerous other responsibilities. Kamp Sajf was divided into four, addressing different age groups that vary from 10 to 20 years of age. Therefore, in each particular moment, the theme was addressed specifically for different youths. At the end of the week, around 100 adolescents between 16 and 20 years of age took part in a packed weekend which was full of surprises. The theme was animated as if we travelling on a cruise liner. This adventure started on Friday night, where we discovered more about ourselves and our identity, influenced by culture, as well as our identity as growing Catholics. On Saturday, we discovered qualities that make disciples of Christ, guided by the Beatitudes that form the compass of our lives and help us to grow blessed. This was done through innovative workshops which included games, crafts, discussions and other ways so that youths learn in an informal setting. This led us to realise that our mission as Catholics does not trap us in one place, but pushes us into discovering different people. Amongst others, on the pier at Rinella Bay in Kalkara, we joined together surrounded by the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro. There, the setting was presented as if it were the eve of World Youth Day, which took place in Copacabana Beach, by means of reflections from Pope Francis and adoration of the Eucharist. On Sunday morning, the youths helped out in preparing mass which was celebrated in such a beautiful way that everyone participated. Through mass, we continued to recognise the mission every person has to spread the Good News throughout the land, not on their own, but with the power of God through everyday behaviour and with the support of others as a community. The ‘Go in the peace of Christ’ at the end of mass, is the moment when Jesus sent us, and therefore we shouldn’t be afraid to get out of our comfort zone. Jesus has invited us to recognise the urgency in giving ourselves to others. The youths that took part during this week find it difficult to forget the strong and beautiful sense of community that continuously grows and evolves in local groups. The sacrifices that are made by these youths convert into such an amazing substance that is then shared with others and thus the Good News is spread in different areas. As a society, we should continue to trust and encourage adolescents from different backgrounds, and with a lot of patience, show them that we love them and that together we will work to bring out the best in them, so that they will grow into responsible people, full of love for others.

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Youthilise

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Youthilise Between the 9th and the 16th of August a group from IKE Transylvania came to Malta and participated in a youth exchange with a group of Maltese youths from Birzebbuga. Youthilise (the name of this exchange) tackled the themes of creativity, employment and entrepreneurship. This was the second part of an exchange that started last year in Romania. This time round it was the Maltese group`s turn to host this exchange. It was a week of great fun packed with interesting workshops, games and places of interest that complemented the theme of this exchange. This exchange was funded by the Youth in Action programme. This youth exchange gave me the opportunity to travel for the first time and visit the beautiful country of Malta, see the Mediterranean Sea, and get to know how Maltese people live and communicate. It was nice to meet my Maltese friends again. I really enjoyed the international evening as it gave me the opportunity to taste delicious Maltese food. Another great activity was the city game. It was a new experience to walk around the city centre, and learn interesting facts about it. It helped me to better understand the cultural differences between the Maltese and the Romanians. With the help of this exchange I also learnt to appreciate the importance of voluntary work. When we cleaned the bay I realised how difficult this work is and how hard it is to keep a clean beach. Kyle Miklos, Romanian participant Youthilse enabled us to explore creativity, entrepreneurship and employment. Despite the fact that this exchange happened in Malta, where I live, I still learnt a lot of new and interesting things about my own culture and places that I had never been to, such as Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples. A fruitful workshop was that of the business owner. Listening to her gave me a new perspective and new ideas about the possibility of building my own business in the future. Health and safety were given high priority in this exchange. A first aid session helped us realise the importance of taking safety precautions both during everyday life and also at work. From this exchange I also understood better what tourism is and its great importance to the Maltese economy. The boat trip gave me the opportunity to meet different people that contribute to tourism. It is not an easy job and most of the time it involves long working hours. This was a truly great week and I am really looking forward to work for and participate in a similar activity again, and get to know about different cultures. Maria Spiteri, Maltese participant I`m very happy because the second part of this exchange was a successful one. This year we visited the small island of Malta. For many of us it was the first experience abroad. It was nice to see the difference between the people`s lifestyles and enjoy the beautiful Maltese landscape. I will miss my new friends and this new experience and I hope that I will have another opportunity to participate in another youth exchange. This exchange was a useful experience for all of us. I am grateful that I was part of this exchange and I am looking forward to participate in a similar project. Eke Zsolt Junior, Romanian participant This project was co-financed by the ‘Youth in Action Programme’ of the European Union

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