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RADIX SENIORS ARCHIVE 2008
WYD :: Community Service ::
Study:: Camps ::Performance Management ::
World Youth Day 2008 Sydney Australia
Again,we were there and are looking forward to the next one in Spain.We always take up this great opportunity each time to be part of the young in the world united to the Holy Father and here is our experience as told by Terry Kibue a club mentor who took part in this:
Being the first time to participate as a pilgrim, I was very eager to go to Sydney for the World Youth Day events. The city was so colourful and alive with thousands of pilgrims who were there for WYD week. The activity around the city was a sight to see with singing, youth festivals, fireworks, lights, flags and pilgrims in many a location.
Our group, Faida club was staying at Tangara, a school located in North Sydney.
On our arrival we began by registering then received our WYD packs which included a pilgrim transport guide to Sydney, a raincoat and foil thermal for our outside vigil on Saturday night, a compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a book on WYD Sydney 2008 and a guide to the liturgy for WYD. No one will forget their pilgrim packs with their bright orange, red and yellow colours!
Each morning we begain the day with Catechesis. This is a true WYD experience of exploring and developing our own knowledge of our faith. Sometimes these sessions could be quite challenging with questions posed that made you think and relate to many past experiences or present situations in your own life. Several activities followed but at different times of the days.
It was exciting to see so many pilgrims from different countries waving their flags as we marched towards Barangaroo for the special Mass.
Other activities that we took part in included youth festivals, talks and films on true life stories. One of the main highlights was a chastity talk presented by Crystalina and Jason Evert. This was a talk that challenged young people to embrace abstinence and uphold the virtue of Purity.
Thursday, a day of excitement as we all anticipated seeing Pope Benedict XVI. The pope arrived in a cruise accompanied by Archbishops and other pilgrims. He addressed us and later passed through the Sydney streets where we got a splendid opportunity to see him. We later met him for the Stations of the Cross, the evening Vigil and the closing Mass.
I definitely look forward to the next WYD. The experience motivated all of us to want to return to such a joyous event.
Community Service- GOING BACK TO THE ROOTS
The Senior Faida Club members visit the less fortunate every first Saturday of the month. These visits are organized with the aid of social workers. We visit as many families as possible taking with us food items and cheerful company.
It's a give and take situation....we give them a ray of hope for a better tomorrow and take with us a greater sensitivity to the plight of those around us.
In first term, this took a different turn due to the post election violence in our country. Thus, the girls visited nearby children's homes. It was actually a chance for some to know how to handle a grass slasher among other gardening implements. As soon as peace returned,the girls took up the tradition of visiting families in the slums i.e Mukuru and Kibagare.
Service Brings Smiles:
From 29th November to 8th December,we had a great opportunity to give ourselves.Our work station was The National Spinal Injury and we stayed at Faida.
Study,Book Party and Readathon
As exams drew near, the Club got down to intense hours of study during the readathons and book parties.
To attain this,the following study sessions took place in in the year:
The High School Ace:
An interesting and great opportunity that gave the girls some study skills. In Mwende Mwololo's view;
This was an event that was based on improving study skills and techniques. Different teachers and past students were present to give talks and sessions on how to study effectively and how to handle pitholes in particular subjects. The emphasis on study group did not pass by unnoticed for it can really be of help.The High School Ace was of tremendous aid to me and those who attended it for I believe it will increase my input and keep me running on the track of motivation. Thank You Faida!
(Mwende Mwololo (14 yrs old).
Book Party:
This is a weekend revision session which is supervised by teachers and former Senior Club members now at University. This term's book party had a special touch as it coincided with the Easter Seminar. Cindy Munyiri, 17 years old, comments:
Faida gives us an opportunity to mentally and spiritually grow. Recently in one of Faida's many book parties, I realised that the television set is only a box (different from what many teenagers think). The creativity of today's youth is being tampered with due to the fact that we sit in front of the television and passively take in whatever we see. In these book parties we read without distractions and the get togethers afterwards are amazing. Here we are able to enhance our creativity and innovativeness because we think out our own games and our own unique ways of having fun. This way we are able to find ourselves and our talents. I can assure you there is more laughter in these get togethers than you can find in any TV programme!
Mother - Daughter Camp : June 14th - 15th
Saturday 14th June dawned a very chilly day. People were wrapped in warm clothes but there was a feeling of excitement in the air especially when we had all boarded the bus and set off to Naivasha. About two hours later, the sun was shining strong as we drew up at the entrance of Hell's Gate. Writes Nimo a participant in the camp:
We had a quick lunch after which we started the trek into the Gorge. For two hours, led by the guide, we climbed, stumbled and nearly fell as we struggled with large rocks and river water in our shoes. We did not miss out on the hot springs and even tried steaming our faces in some of them. What fun we all had and once we were done, we all begged to start again. Sadly, there was no time.
We headed for Cray Fish where we were setting up camp. After checking our tents, we had dinner after which we headed for the disco where we danced alot. Finally, we scampered into our tents where we slept the minute we got cozy.
The next morning was extremely cold but that did not put a stop to the day's activities which included Crazy Olympics . It was interesting and amazing to see the team spirit in the mothers and daughters, all focussed on winning. We were split into two teams.One beat the other narrowly.The afternoon ended with swimming in the chilly weather after which we packed and returned home. Thus ended the fun-filled half term hoping that another would soon follow!
Nimo Muriithi 15 years old.
All in One Camp 25th - 28th November
This was a great opportunity for the Seniors to take up their role and check their Leadership skills. It was indeed a great challenge from waking up in the morning, giving talks on Personality Development, coordinating the team building to solving all the issues of all campers.They indeed faced up to the challenge and Daisy Awiti who came not knowing how to dance went back home a queen of pop! All look forward to the next opportunity to explore their Leadership skills.
