This year 32 girls and 30 boys (actually: young men and young women!) participated in our Zienzele Weekend! Day One focused on career choices and paths. Many hoping to become doctors, lawyers, nurses, and teachers. We were pleased this year to have only one aspiring soldier. We also talked about the value of having not just one plan, but plans A B & C. Students in Forms 4 and 6 will take the national exams next week, and those results will determine options- so the timing of this discussion feels productive. Our post-secondary All-Stars again shared their stories, and they again did a great job of speaking openly about their struggles and the rewards they have seen from persistence.
The wonderful Chippewa presenting on gender inequality and gender-based violence.
Lunch break!
Faith Simbayani is the youngest member of one of our first Child-Headed Households. You might recognize Faith’s surname: she has grown up with a great role-model in Zienzele All-Star Tendai Simbayani.
Zienzele Representatives from Berejena, Mai Susan and Mai Panashe. These women have been crucial for the success of the weekend: they not only cooked for camp, but they stayed overnight to make sure everyone behaved (they are no-nonsense ladies- good thing they couldn’t see those guys goofing for the camera!)
Forgive the furtively-taken photos: Takudzwa (L) and Patrick (R) were our brave expert explainers for the nuts and bolts of reproductive anatomy. Patrick explained the female reproductive system and Takudzwa explained the male reproductive system (with exceptional comic flair)- well done!
Truth or Myth: this is a FANTASTIC game shared by Cynthia Stadler! Groups discuss whether statements re: reproductive heath are true or a myth. Each statement spurred very active intense discussions within every group- everyone learned very important information, and the winners got to get in line first for food! Nothing like a little friendly competition!
It seems simple, but this ‘unwinding game’ gives all our participants the chance to move around a bit, and communicate with each other in a relaxed way. These young men and women focus 110% on serious stuff most of the day, so this ‘game’ is good break.
Drama Workshop: four groups acted out issues re: positive /negative relationships, substance abuse, gender-based violence, gender roles, and more. Participants really engaged- everyone put their all into the acting and came up with great messages to share with their peers- SO important for such a vulnerable group of young people. GREAT END TO A GREAT CAMP WEEKEND!