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Edition September 2000

Index Editorial Thursday, 6 July Friday, 7 July Saturday, 8 July Sunday, 9 July Monday, 10 July Tuesday, 11 July Wednesday, 12 July Thursday, 13 July Friday, 14 July Saturday, 15 July Sunday, 16 July to Saturday, 22 July Saturday, 22 July Sunday, 23 July Monday, 24 July Some impressions from the participants The Participants in the world camp: First initiative after the world camp! Next link's topics Printable version ( 640 kb) Archive 2007 April 2006 December October June April February 2005 December October June April February 2004 December October September June February 2003 December October September June April February 2002 December October September June April February 2001 December October September June February 2000 December October September June April February Colofon Editors: Johan Cottyn, Marleen Deblonde Translation: Marleen Deblonde, Anette Leimer Photos: Johan Cottyn, Zeger van Besien

Editorial Dear friends, Summer or winter ends in September (according to the hemisphere you live in). For many of us September means the end of holidays. For most people, being on holiday means to relax and slow down, but in our organisations, the holidays are one of the most active periods. Children and youngsters of local groups go on camp which is one of the best moments to come together for several days, to live differently, get to know the others better. Youth work here has another dimension, different from the weekly gatherings that last only a few hours. This year, Fimcap also has rounded a cape and has organised for the second time in its history a World Camp. And here again: saying “camp” is saying encounter, meeting the other, learning about his or her realities, his or her environment. In this case, the other person also means different things. The other as a person, but also as a representative of his or her organisation. The environment and the reality also have a different dimension. It’s about meeting other cultures, discovering a country in another way. Nippac hosted this World Camp in Paraguay. The participants have had the opportunity to discover a country, a region. But the aim of Fimcap was to urge participants to be protagonists. They worked on projects in favour of the local population, and more especially for the youth. They had the opportunity to discover Paraguay’s reality, not as tourists, but from the insider’s point of view. As a matter of fact, one of the richest moments was living in the host family. These families welcomed the participants as friends, even as their own children. Globally, from what I saw, and also heard from the participants, it can be concluded that this camp was very intense. All are greatly satisfied with their participation. Of course there were some difficult moments, too. The culture shock, the communication difficulties, problems with flights, visas and even luggage. But with everyone’s good will, all difficulties could be solved. Now everybody is back home, has started normal life again (often with difficulty), but something has changed ... The participants have brought many souvenirs back home and energy for the work in their own organisation, but they have also left good friends in Paraguay, and even a little bit of themselves. After this experience, nothing will ever be as it was before. The participants have changed, and that is the true richness of the World Camp. Many thanks to all of you for your participation and your commitment, and especially to our friends Nippacinos. Olivier Heyen President

Thursday, 6 July

Thursday morning. A very enthusiastic Elodia the national coordinator of Nippac and bright sunlight welcome us to Paraguay. We can feel it right away: Nippac is under tension, there is still a lot to do, people are painting, fixing things, everybody is getting ready to host about 35 foreign and 30 Paraguayan guests. Four of them have already arrived. Johannes, Cecil, F. Moeketsi and F. Kagiso Mosadi from South Africa. Two friends from Chiro Southern Africa are still waiting for their visa.
Mothusi from Botswana and Thabang from Lesotho.
We, the scouts of the Fimcap presidium, (Zeger Van Besien and Johan Cottyn)
are being briefed about the situation and help to find solutions for the participants who inscribed but cannot get here. Africa seems to be a closed continent which people cannot leave easily. It is really a pity.

The parochial hall is being decorated, the neighbours of the Nippac office are announcing the World Camp with streetwide banners, the secretariat has set up tents on the patio, expecting the arrival of participants from 11 organisations.
Two more days to go, a couple of hours  the countdown has started.
A lot of people, especially the national team of Nippac (Elodia, Gabriel, Paula; Heri, Ricardo, Sister Rafaela, P. Julio Cesar, Pablita, Angelica, Heriberto, Miguel y Griselda) and Veerle and Koen, both of whom arrived three months ago to prepare the camp, are waiting for the starting signal.

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Friday, 7 July

We all have our special concerns: last preparations, painting, cleaning, putting up lights, trying to get the participants from Ghana here, buying postcards.. Everybody is at work and praying silently, hoping that all inscribed participants can come. We really hope so, because so many people have worked for months and had sleepless nights to organise this camp. Fimcap is taking up the line again after the last World Camps that took place in 1992: two world camps with about 50 participants, one in Chile and one in Ghana. Then things remained calm on intercontinental level. The civil war in Rwanda in 1994 upset all our projects and after that, the financial burdens were too heavy to dream about such a worldwide initiative..

In the mean time, it is 6 o’clock.Night has fallen, and the number of the guests coming from abroad has doubled. Andres from Arica, Silvana from San Bernardo and Ximena from Santiago (all from Chile) landed on time, together with Gioconda from Ecuador. So three organisations are now present: Jupach from Chile, Jupae from Ecuador and Chiro Southern Africa. The Chilean participants are ringing their parents to tell them everything is alright and the South African participants have gone to Mass. San, the watch dog of Nippac is playing happily around, feeling that something is going on. Tomorrow, still another day before the starting day and more guests to come.
Pehuengueaty Pytyavora is Guarani and stands for ”meeting of families in solidarity”.

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Saturday, 8 July

Another preparation day full of surprises. The Ghanaians rang again in the middle of the night, and we still do not know if and when they will be able to come. The European weather is tormenting us, too. The large group coming from Belgium (6 people from Chiro, 2 from Patro and two pupils from a Flemish partner school) stranded in Paris together with Olivier, Fimcap president, and the four Dutch participants.
The whole program will be delayed by half a day. It is not easy to reach all those invited to the official opening, but the Paraguayans are used to more.

Saturday noon. Zeger is taking down the inscriptions of the two Danish participants: Sigrid and Rosa. In the meantime, Perla from Paso Yobai, Lourdes, Miguel, Fatima y Mirna de Limpio, Eustaquio de Remancito et Maria, Hilda, Eder, Lucila y Lidia, from Caaguazúu have also arrived. For the other participants , it is rather boring to wait and wait. Our South African friends think the days are rather long. But everything is going to be alright, if not today, then tomorrow. Everything has its own special rhythm and so does a World Camp in Paraguay.

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Sunday, 9 July

Tension is rising: Will the last expected participants arrive or not? The opening ceremony has been postponed to the afternoon. About 200 guests must be notified. Many things are possible in Paraguay, even when time is short.
We are lucky: the Belgian, the Dutch and the Swiss delegations arrived all in time, only 7 people will have to wait for their luggage.

The opening ceremony was warm and friendly. Some speeches stressed the importance of a World Camp in Paraguay; a happy mayor declared that our meeting was of public importance. Beautiful dances performed by Nippac youngsters; a moment with refreshments enable to freshen up old friendships and make new contacts. The participants were delighted, and the camp leaders happy.

The rest of the day passed quietly. The newcomers, exhausted after a long journey, could get a rest and refresh themselves. The others quickly turned the parochial hall into a place for dances and games.
In the evening , we sat nicely together and celebrated the Eucharist. We call Jesus our Brother and he is walking with us these days. The first official camp day was sealed with a fine dinner.
Let’s move forward!

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Monday, 10 July

The alarm clock wakes us at 6 ‘o clock, and we hear the raindrops falling and thunder in the background. We will have to run between the drops for the whole day, but this cannot curb the joy of the first ”normal camp” day. The morning is devoted to the presentation of the organisations present, with joy and creativity as the most important elements. Every participant presents his or her organisation and his or her country, and closes with a common game or a dance. Really great! The participants are writing down the explanations and the background information, and the games will certainly be played in the different countries.
The evening is reserved for those organisations who did not get their turn in the morning.

At half past two, we left to Tobra Qom, an Indian community with about 450 families who do not have any legal rights. We were taken around in three groups and an Indian guide gave us interesting and challenging explanations. There is no doubt that we will stand up for the rights of the indigenous people.

After teatime, a professor talked to us. She is an historian and anthropologist. She told us about the history of Paraguay and their different tribes. It was a pity that the more recent history was not discussed. This issue still seems to be rather delicate. But in the meantime we had enough to think about.

We’re having wonderful meals, a great time playing and dancing, interesting discussions, gaining new insights, and this is the result of just one normal camp day. Interesting in any case. We are hoping for better weather, though, because the wet and the cold are making it all rather uncomfortable.

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Tuesday, 11 July

High tension for the participants: the distribution into three groups, with the necessary explanations about the camps and the work they are going to do. Lots of talking, relaxing nerves, sharing first concerns. After this information time, we left for a big game in the town. Four groups drove around Villa Hayes in their ”micro” (bus), carrying out tasks at some key places. Everyone received a better impression of the town, of the region and the socioeconomic aspects of life here.
Pieces of puzzles are being put together. The better our vision of the whole picture is, the better we can understand!

We are preparing the luggage for the coming days, we are sending the last postcards home and it is time to go to bed. Villa Hayes is nearly asleep, under a light moonshine. We will leave this place tomorrow, some of us for three days, other for ten.

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Wednesday, 12 July

This is the first day of our tourist tour. Two busses are waiting for us this morning at 7.30. They will take us to the southern part of the country.
Everything is quiet when we stop in San Ignacio to visit a beautiful Franciscan church, a masterpiece of wood and natural colours, a demonstration of human know how. In its simplicity, it is a wonderful heritage from old culture and still a refuge for a many faithful people. After a short visit to the local museum we leave for the Jesuit Indigenous Communities. A Jesuit Father tells us with compe tence about the aim of the Jesuit fathers at their arrival here in the
17th century. They tried to gather the native people from the present southern region of Paraguay, the north of Argentina and the west of Brazil in a kind of wellstructured villages. It was obvious that they were focusing on their missionary tasks, while respecting their own culture. The language of the ”indigenas” was written down, their music was noted, their own chiefs were maintained. There was a decent school education for that time and the closed economic system provided a good level of prosperity for everyone. Nevertheless, this system subsisted only a short time. The King of Spain coveted the gold and other treasures and feared losing a part of his enormous territory. The Jesuit Indigenous Communities were closed after 100 years, and the Jesuit congregation would soon be banned.

We are now heading for San Juan where we will sleep in the parochial hall near the cathedral where Bishop Medina, the first Chaplain of Nippac, has his Bishop’s seat. It is a pity that he is absent, since it is enjoyable to talk with him. He is known to raise polemics because he is not afraid of questioning the politicians about their responsibilities. The warm welcome given by the local catechism team is in contrast to the unbearable cold of the night. It is freezing at 3 degrees below zero, and because of the small open windows the warmth of 55 sleeping bodies vanishes into the night.

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Thursday, 13 July

After a quick breakfast with no time to sit down we left for Incarnación, a town on the border to Argentina with a rather different appearance. The influence of Argentina, wealthier than Paraguay, is obvious. We cross the Rio Parana to arrive in Argentina. We see street vendors carrying their goods from one side to the other and it can be assumed that big retailers make big money with wellorganised smuggling.
After a delicious dinner in one of the parishes in Incarnación we go to Trinidad, where a large territory of ruins gives us an idea of the extension and the importance of about 30 Jesuit Reductions.

Our long journey brings us now to Cuidad del Este where we arrive at 7.30 p.m. The feast hall of a college will be our sleeping place. The barbecue is excellent, but the icy cold inside the hall is awful. This is real camp life! Dances and games bring us closer together. There are enormous expectations for tomorrow. Some more nice sightseeing, and then we will be divided into three regional groups, and goodbye, see you next week!

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Friday, 14 July

Very early in the morning, the bus brings us to the visitors’ centre of the Itaipu power station. An interesting film tells us about the importance of the hydroelectrical power station for Brazil and Paraguay. The construction we see afterwards is a magnificent illustration of modern knowledge and knowhow.
The economic importance of this power station is enormous. But what about the engulfed villages, the flooded nature causing new diseases, the different prices for the electricity , the human suffering ... nobody mentions this. So many contrasts.

We drive on to Brazil. Our next trip leads us to the waterfalls Cataratas de Poz de Iguazu on the borders of Argentina and Brazil. The sight of these huge waterfalls spreading over several kilometres makes us forget the long waiting at the border. All participants are just happy to see this wonder of nature. Gigantic masses of water rush down over a width of 2,5 km, cause many rainbows, give us an openair shower. We feel small in front of this overwhelming natural force.

The participants are now silent and thinking about the next days. In a few hours, we will all be divided in three groups and go to three different places. We will live with host families, will have to manage with our basic knowledge of Spanish or use body language if necessary, and work a whole week! The bus taking us back to Paraguay is delayed, and we are worried if the people will wait for such a long time at the places we agreed on.

Caaguazu: Guayaki Cua
We arrive at the right place at 10 p.m. and are surprised to see a small bus waiting for us. It take us to our destination, about an hour after a hell of a ride. We decide to sleep in the chapel. The welcome in the families is postponed to tomorrow, at 5 p.m.

Colonia Independencia
We arrive without any problems in Colonia Independencia at 11 p.m. The welcome feast with dinner and fireworks is postponed to tomorrow. We will spend a night in the house of the Sisters and not disturb the host families. The welcome in the families will be for tomorrow, too.

Villa Hayes
We arrive half past midnight at the Nippac office, decide to spend the night there and not to disturb the host families. We want to sleep late, give some free time and do some laundry.

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Saturday, 15 July

It is always a surprise to wake up at a unknown place. In Guayaki Cua, Juan Pablo and his collaborators brief us on the tasks. We notice that the foundations for the hall have already been laid. Will there be enough work for the coming days?
Some of us are playing enthusiastically with the children of the local Nippac group. The children are very curious about all these foreigners and wonder what will happen ... It’s the same at Colonia Independencia. We will have to make arrangements to avoid the children swarming over the construction site. In all three places, agreements are worked out, the work is divided and we plan the coming days. It will be very interesting, there is no doubt about that, but it will also rather heavy. Perhaps we will have some free time, but it won’t be much. There is a lot of work to do!

The funny game involving animal noises brings us to our host family. Everyone is happy and the participants go to their host family to get to know each other. The language barriers gradually disappear. We are happy to hear that our Ghanese friends Rita, Emmanuel and James will finally be able to join us after weeks of problems with obtaining their visas.

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Sunday, 16 July to Saturday, 22 July

WORK CAMP WEEK

Caaguazu: Guayaki Cua
The task was to build a hall for various uses in the centre of a very rural region. This hall would be used as meeting place for the local Nippac group, as well as for all other organisations in the village and the region. The building is out of wood, with a tiled roof, equipped with electricity and painted in ochre outside. The walls inside have been decorated with drawings and paintings realised by the participants. They painted the symbols of the World Camp, Nippac and Fimcap. A beautiful world map with lovely children’s paintings add a very special character to the ”Cassia de la Solidaridad”.
The contacts with the local community during the celebrations of the mass, the meetings with the peasants (campesinos), the final feast, etc. were very cordial. We felt very welcome and that all the local inhabitants appreciate our work. Nobody will ever forget Fimcap here. We will never forget the work in groups, the frequent talks during coffee breaks or late in the evening, enduring the cold nights, and the intense evaluations in groups. An unforgettable week.

Colonia Independencia: Paso Yobai
It certainly was not a big problem that we missed the welcome on Friday evening. We enjoyed a quite warm welcome during the following days! The cooperation with the people there and the family life brought fantastic days. The main task consisted in building a playground for children, under the orders and the competence of Sister Rosalia. Sometimes in the morning, there was the feeling there would not be enough work for the whole day, but finally the days were really wellfilled. Gradually, the place got its configuration. Symbols of the World Camp were inscribed on the natural grass embankment as record of the camp.
At the beginning of the week we understood that these days would be very important for the local community but also for each one of us. We will especially remember the deep contacts, the happiness and the joy the authenticity and the solidarity. Many thanks to the host families, the new friends we made who will keep a place in our hearts.

Villa Hayes
Here also, the main task was a service to the community. We had to plant trees, set up a playground for children, renew some play ground equipment , paint and fix dustbins, and paint the enclosure walls of the Nippac office.
Fortunately, we were a slight bigger group because there was a lot of (hard) work to do. The atmosphere was great anyway. Like everywhere else, we were treated so well in our host families. The local authorities followed with big interest the work we were doing and showed in many ways that they really appreciated our presence. It was very positive to work in various groups, with a different task every time. Many thanks for the nice surprise: the pancakes made by our Fimcap president and sister Rafaela were an excellent teatime for all of us. Olivier was able to visit all three camps and appreciate the atmosphere there.He was accompanied by Father Julio Cesar, the national Nippac Chaplain.

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Saturday, 22 July

A bus coming from Guayaki Cua brings the first group to the meeting point, where a larger bus is waiting. After an hour’s ride we pick up the participants in Paso Yobai and arrive at Villa Hayes at about 2 ’o clock p.m. Everybody here is still working very busily. The reunion of the three groups is very emotional. There is so much to tell, as if the separation had lasted for weeks! The experiences people had here are similar but sometimes also rather different. Everybody is convinced of one thing. It really was a fantastic week. We are tired but incredibly happy

A short visit is foreseen to a small exhibition of craft products made by the ”indigenas” of the North. Afterwards, we walk through Villa Hayes to admire the different realisations. It is just nice to see what can be accomplished in one week. Strength through unity. We are quite happy to spend a tranquil night as there is so much to talk about. However, we take the time to do a personal evaluation of the camp. We think about our expectations, our views and the things we want to achieve once we are back home. These are very profound moments.

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Sunday, 23 July

Celebrating morning mass with the Bishop in the parish did us well. Every organisation contributed to Mass, and we sang some songs. The celebration was broadcast live on the radio, which gave quite a lot of publicity to the World Camp. There had already been contacts with the press (radio, television, newspapers). This guaranteed a wide broadcasting of what happened on the World Camp.

We continue evaluating the camp with a poster for every work camp. Did we like the way of working? And the life in the host families? What about the contacts in our own group? This evaluation will certainly provide valuable elements for the next World Camp. We interrupt the evaluation to visit the Chaco. This area of Paraguay is quite unknown and we are guests on one of the biggest haciendas where we are invited to a barbecue. An afternoon of sun and games. Holidays indeed!
In the evening, with a game of ropes, we go on with the evaluation on some aspects of the World Camp, the preparation by Fimcap and by one’s own organisation, the tourist tour, the knowledge of the language, the common activities at the beginning of the camp, board and lodging, etc. There are only discussions on little details. The evaluation of the camp as a whole is very positive. Everybody is very satisfied. A very emotional moment expressing a profound gratitude towards our Nippac friends ends this evaluation.

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Monday, 24 July

This is the last day with all participants. We will leave for Asunción in the morning to buy some souvenirs. We pass the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the slums contrasts again and have lunch in a restaurant with live music. There is immediately a pleasant atmosphere and after very explicit invitations to dance, first F. Moekatsi and Corno from the Netherlands, and then the other delegations dare to dance on the stage. An unforgettable event.

Early in the evening, we sit together per organisation to reflect about what we will take home from the World camp. We share the ideas, and then we prepare the final feast. Atmosphere, music, sketches, presents, joyful faces but sad hearts because of the imminent farewell all typical elements of a camp.These weeks have been intense, the encounters were very important, and the World Camp is an unforgettable experience. Thanks to all of you.

Johan Cottyn

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Some impressions from the participants

“En el trabajo se a demostrado que la unión hace la fuerza, sin esta unión, no es posible sin alegria que cada uno puso en su esfuerzo y empeño.”

“Life in a lovely group of mutual understanding doesn’t only provide the unique work environment, but a beautiful output as well”

“Ek het die werk geniet. Ek was bly toe die werk voltooi was en dit goeie werk was.”

“Wat aarzelend begonnen, niet altijd even eenvoudig, toch hebben we de sfeer positief kunnen houden en zijn we fier over het resultaat.”

“De gemeente was mee in het gebeuren. Getuige daarvan: de vele begroetingen aan de nieuwsgierige omgeving. Ik voelde heel veel oprechtheid en eerlijkheid in mijn gast familie, en van dag tot dag meer genegenheid. Ook de plaatselijke leidingsploeg was heel aangenaam. Een week Paso Yobai in een woord:“Amistad”.

“Lo puse muy bien con mi familia. Ellos fueron muy buenos con migo, me trataron como su verdadero hijo. Fue une gran experiencia con ellos”

“Living with a family where language was sometimes a barrier couldn’t allow much talking, but actions mostly speak louder then words. It was indeed joyful.”

“Un grupo muy lindo, nos ayudamos todos, compartimos alegria, la merienda, canciones, jeugos y por supuesto el trabajo. Tuve la oportunidad de conocer más afondo a cada uno de este grupo.Fueron momentos inolvidables”

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The participants in the World Camp:

Belgium:
Emilie De Baere, Karen Emsens, Zeger Van Besien, Johan Cottyn, Inge Peeters, Annelies De Vlieghe, Ciska Vanrenterghem, Katrien De Wachter, Sven Knockaert, Koen Maes, Veerle Desaeger, Hilde Vochten, Olivier Heyen, Fabian Pantalone, Rebecca De Meulemeester

Botswana:
Mothusi Madi

Chile:
Silvana Pacheco, Andres Conejeros, Ximena Vera

Denmark:
Rosa Maria Oertved, Sigrid Damsager Frandsen

Ecuador:
Gioconda Fuel

Ghana, West Africa:
Rita Ayine, James Naamwinkum, Belbaar Emmanuel Nyarko

Lesotho:
Thabang Thaba-Kholo

The Netherlands:
Esther Dorresteijn, Corno de Mol, Roel Custers, Patrick Doreleijers

Paraguay Nippac:
Safarisport Fátima, López Rivas, Mirna López Sotto, Angelica Guerrero Alvarenga,,Heriberto Jara Amarilla, Miguel Melgarejo Cardozo, Griselda Salcedo Vargas, Hna Rafaela Nuñez Giménez, Gabriel Roa Rios, Heri Florentin Acosta, Elodia Nuñez Giménez, Ricardo Lugo, Paola Arce Garcia, Perla López Sosa, Lidia Raquel Rodriguez Centurión, Hilda Melgarejo, Lucila Brizuela Silvero, Eder Ruiz Diaz Colmán, Miguel Cuellar Armoa, Lourdes Galeano Cuellar, Eustaquio Bogado, María Morales López, Hna Maxima Vera

South Africa:
Cecil Moos, Kagiso Mosadi, Johannes Bonthuys, Moeketsi Matee

Switzerland:
Doris Renggli

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First initiative after the World Camp!

„ I will never forget the experience I shared at theWorld Camp, but it is better when you can put the idea of theworld camp into practice!” Tuesday, August 15th, JupachArica organised a training session for group leaders and we didwhat we had learnt at the world camp. We also did some solidarityactivities in groups, like the tidying up of the garden in aparish of the town where we had the training session. (Thatparish has no Jupach group). The beneficiary people were veryhappy with the results, even though we only spent half a daythere.

Andrés Conejeros Quiroz
Jupach-Arica-Chile

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Next Link’s topics

• World Youth Days in Rome
• European Bureau meetings
• Intercontinental Bureau meeting in Ghana
• Training session in Burundi on „Youth and non violent action“
• European Fellowship General Assembly in Croatia.
• International exchanges at the Chiro camp „Krinkel”

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