Kamp Sajf

Biż-Żejjed Biżżejjed? Kamp Sajf 2024 Bejn il-5 u l-11 ta’ Awwissu, iż-ŻAK għal darb’oħra, organizzat l-ikbar attività annwali għall-għaqda: dik ta’ Kamp Sajf. Għal din l-attività jkunu mistiedna biex jipparteċipaw l-membri kollha fiż-ŻAK, minn 10 snin ‘il fuq.  Din is-sena kien hemm iktar minn 100 parteċipant matul il-ġimgħa kollha. Bl-isem ta’ “Biż-Żejjed Biżżejjed?” Kamp Sajf ta’ din is-sena kien jittratta t-tema ta’ kif, fiż-żmien fejn aħna mdawrin b’abbundanza ta’ affarijiet, opportunitajiet u esperjenzi, m’aħniex jirnexxielna nkunu kuntenti. F’Kamp Sajf, il-membri kellhom l-opportunita’ jirriflettu kif, bħala soċjeta’, qedgħin nintilfu f’ħafna affarijiet superfiċjali u/jew materjali. Għalkemm l-affarijiet tad-dinja mùhumiex neċessarjament ħżiena, jew għallinqas mhux kollha, li ngħixu għalihom biss qed iħallu impatt negattiv fuq l-individwi u r-relazzjonijiet tagħna man-nies u l-ambjent ta’ madwardna. Matul din il-ġimgħa, l-membri innotaw li dan l-impatt negattiv jirriżulta minn ġirja sfrenata sabiex naqtgħu l-għatx eżistenzjali, pereżempju li nippruvaw nakkwistaw il-kuntentizza f’ħajjitna mir-relazzjonijiet, il-karriera, il-flus u l-ġid materjali bħal qisu huma l-milja ta’ ħajjitna li, saħansitra, id-dinja ta’ hemm barra wegħditna li huma se jġibulna ħelsien u sodisfazzjon. F’Kamp Sajf skoprejna li l-affarijiet tad-dinja rridu nagħżlu li ngħixuhom tajjeb u mbagħad dawn iħallu kuntentizza fina jekk ikunu mgħixa skont is-sinifikat tal-ħajja tagħna, jiġifieri dak li Alla jrid minna. Iddiskutajna kif dawn it-tendenzi qegħdin narawhom ukoll fil-komunita’ tagħna għax aħna wkoll parti mid-dinja u m’aħniex immuni minn dak li tesperjenza d-dinja, kemm tajjeb kif ukoll ħażin. F’Kamp Sajf ta’ din is-sena, xtaqna li nagħmlu mixja flimkien sabiex nirriflettu fuq għaliex nagħmlu dak li nagħmlu fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum. Ġejna konxji ta’ x’inhu dak li nagħmlu ta’ kuljum u nesploraw l-effetti (pożittivi u negativi) ta’ dan f’ħajjitna u l-konnessjoni ma’ ta’ madwarna. Nagħmlu xi ħaġa għax irridu iktar flus? Irridu niksbu l-popolarita’? Nirnexxu fil-karriera? Offrejna l-ispazju sabiex nesploraw kif dak li nagħmlu jista’ jris aħjar u jieħu sinifikat akbar għax ikollu għeruq f’xi ħaġa akbar minnha. Stedinna lill-memebri żgħażagħ sabiex jesploraw il-verità tagħhom u jiskopru s-sens ta’ ħajjithom anke fid-dawl ta’ dak li jrid Alla minn ħajjithom, il-pjan tiegħU għalihom. Waqt id-diskussjonijiet li saru, ħadna ispirazzjoni mill-Eżerċizzi Spiritwali ta’ San Injazju. Kull sena, f’Kamp Sajf ikun hemm silta mill-Bibbja li takkumpanjana. Din is-sena ntagħżlet is-silta minn Ġwanni 8, 31-33: “Ġesu’ qal lil-Lhud li emmnu fih: ‘Jekk iżżommu fil-kema tiegħi, tkunu tasseww dixxipli tiegħi, u tagħrfu l-verità u l-verità teħliskom’. Qalulu: ‘Aħna nisel Abraham, u qatt ma konna lsiera ta’ ħadd. Kif tiġi tgħidilna li nkunu ħielsa’?” Għalina, il-membri tal-Azzjoni Kattolika, din hija tema għal qalbna ħafna għax tmur proprju fil-qalba ta’ dak li nemmnu: li aħna bħall-Knsija, mad-dinja u fid-dinja iżda ma aħniex tad-dinja.

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.