YUGA- Thursday and Friday (Days 4 + 5)

On Thursday, there were so many different activities and workshops offered. In the morning we participated in a refugee stimulation. Essentially we were divided into small groups which represented a family unit. We decided on the position of each person in the family, as well as our last names. Unfortunately I can’t remember my family’s last name.  Like most of the other families, our surname was in a made-up language, which probably contributed to the fact that I have forgotten it. All the families started off in a cramped area outside the refugee camp because of conflict in their home country. The environment was frustrating, because of how crowded and noisy it was. Eventually the authorities gave us a sheet of paper. On it were a few jumbled words that we had to un-jumble. After several minutes of attempting to figure it all out, my group realized that it was simply not possible. Thus, we returned to the border and tried to reason with the security people there. They ignored us. At the same time, many families were finding ways to cross into the camp illegally. Most of my family was injured and they weren’t able to run fast enough to successfully evade the authorities. We kept trying to get past the security and eventually we succeeded by offering our valuables.  By the time we got into the refugee camp, we realized that the conditions were deplorable. We requested food, water and shelter, but instead we were given Plan buttons. This activity demonstrated the fact that many refugee camps are overcrowded and basic necessities are not always provided adequately. It also showed how difficult it can be to fill out the paper work when you don't speak the language of administration.  I think this workshop was worthwhile, because it brought to light an issue that so many people are not fully aware of.

On a lighter note, we also got to tie-dye shirts! It was my first experience with tie-dye and I had a great time. A staff member taught us how to make various patterns such as spirals, targets, horizontal and vertical stripes by tying the shirt up with elastics and dyeing different parts. I ended up dyeing my shirt so it had alternating blue and green vertical stripes. In the evening, we had the opportunity to participate in Irish step dancing or an arts and craft. I decided to try my hand at the art activity. We were taught how to make fuzzy flip-flops, by covering the strap with yarn. I spent a long time trying to make my pair, but I gave up. For some reason, I just couldn’t get the hang of it. Everyone else who stopped by the table seemed to pick up the technique far faster than I did. Someone else let me have one of his pairs of flip-flops and that made me feel a lot better about the whole situation.

Friday was our last full day of camp. It was the perfect end to the amazing experience, because we learned how to integrate the different aspects of YUGA into our lives. Different people shared some of the successes and challenges related to starting YUGA clubs, fundraising and raising awareness of issues such as HIV/AIDs, climate change, poverty and child rights. We also met with Plan staff, including the CEO of Plan US. I was really inspired to keep trying to tackle global issues. There are so many discouraging statistics and depressing stories out there, but there are also many instances where people have knocked down barriers and made a positive difference in their community and the world.

There were many ideas, thoughts, and feelings that lingered in my mind after YUGA was over. The most important of them all is the need to be persistent when it comes to the actions I take on issues that I am passionate about. It is easy to get discouraged after a few failures, but after hearing so many accounts where determination turned a club around or lead to a successful fundraising campaign, I am far less concerned about falling flat on my face. It just gives me the opportunity to get up and keep pursuing my dreams.