As we expand our programs in the communities we serve, we’re rebranding with the addition of CoGi CONNECTKidsCamp – formerly Vacation Bible School (VBS), CONNECTYoungAdultsCamp, and CONNECTCommunity.
JAMAICA
Impacting & Empowering the Youth In Jamaica.
Although the CONNECTKidsCamp is designed for children 4-12 years of age, each year we’ve welcomed a growing number of teenagers. These young boys and girls are hungry for truth. Truth about who they are – their worth, value, and purpose. Truth that their circumstance does not define who they are or what they’re capable of. While they had a blast participating in the games and crafts, they they were visibly impacted by the worship music and the deep discussions about who God is and who they are as children of God. Emily, our volunteer worship leader, engaged them in introductory guitar lessons; and honored their request to listen to her sing while they embraced the truth that was sung over them.
At the end of the week, two of the young boys partnered with the local pastor and one of our male volunteers to deliver groceries to the elderly located in the even more remote areas of the community. This was a great opportunity to empower the youth to be intentional about giving back to those within their neighbours, despite their own personal circumstances.
NIGERIA
Building Meaningful Relationships In Nigeria.
In August, a team of 14 volunteers from our local partner organization, Davrem School joined the children of the orphanage and the surrounding community to partake in the annual summer CONNECTKidsCamp. After our first CONNECTKidsCamp and Christmas Celebration in 2018, the children were ecstatic to welcome the same team of volunteers back this past summer. While the children in the orphanage are used to generous and caring people who make financial and physical donations; they rarely have people engaging with and spending time with them. They’re starting to realize that the volunteers of CoGi and Davrem School care about spending time with them, pouring into their spiritual growth and mental well-being. The kids as well as the volunteers are super excited for this year’s upcoming Christmas Celebration!
WHAT’S NEXT – 2020
JAMAICA. The youth we serve in Jamaica can be better served, so we are planning our first CONNECTYoungAdultsCamp. This will be a 3-4 day camp designed specifically for the youth, creating a fun, adventurous, and safe place to continue conversations about the challenges they’re facing. Think of the traditional youth group camp that’s common in the United States and other countries around the world – fun, truth, growth.
CONNECTCommunity. We also plan to serve the broader community by partnering with a local company to provide training to individuals/families on how to farm chickens for egg production, as a source of meat for individual needs or as a means of generating income. This is aimed at providing a sustainable solution to some of the economic and nutritional challenges that exists.
NIGERIA. We will be supporting our local partner, Davrem Schools, in hosting the 2nd annual Christmas Celebration with the children at the orphanage. We envision this to be a time set aside where they can celebrate Jesus’ birth and enjoy a party organized just for them. We want them to remember that they are seen! This will include music, games and cake. Our partner, Davrem Schools, will also run the 3rd annual CONNECTKidsCamp during the summer of 2020, with material, financial aid, prayer, and support from CoGi.