December 20, 2016
Today, we have a blog submission from TFFT alumni, Richard Augustino. Richard helped to facilitate the Life Skills Youth Camp last week for our scholars in secondary school. He shares his valuable perspective and key takeaways from the week’s events.
TFFT’s Youth Camp offered five days full of important and useful experience to all of the scholars in attendance. TFFT facilitated this camp to help provide instructions on and space to practice using the important skills required to succeed in today’s world. After the workshop, the scholars were fully equipped with skills to thrive. The topics covered in the workshop are relevant and required for anyone who wants to fit in today’s world.
We learned many useful topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship, dream mapping, financial education, HIV/AIDs and reproductive health. Many people lack knowledge about these topics, and TFFT has ensured that our scholars receive an education on essential life skills. I am so grateful that TFFT keeps on lighting the candles for us to see what the future holds.
For instance, after learning about financial education on day one, many scholars in the evaluation said that they will change their practices and attitudes towards money. They have learned the importance of wise money management by budgeting and saving. I helped to facilitate this session.
Day two focused on reproductive health and helped our scholars to better understand how to make healthy choices when forming relationships. In dream mapping, scholars learned that setting realistic goals allows for achieving one’s dreams. At night, we watched a movie called Gifted Hands to inspire the scholars anything they choose to be, they can be.
Day three taught entrepreneurship. Prior to TFFT’s Youth Camp, many scholars believed that entrepreneurs apply knowledge they were already given. We learned that many successful people employ themselves, creating their own path and adapting their skills for success. Now, many scholars want to use the skills which have been provided by TFFT to become entrepreneurs. TFFT Scholars have committed to also transferring this knowledge to others in the future. We had a talent night on night three, where some TFFT Scholars showed what they can do best.
On day four, we learned about our rights and how to protect ourselves from sexual offenses and sexual abuse. The day ended with a movie that taught the scholars the importance of standing up for what is right.
Day five, concluded the Youth Camp with education on human development, allowing the scholars to better understand themselves. This will help the scholars to achieve their dreams, as they have gained a better understanding of who they are and what their purpose is in life. The workshop was finalized with awarding of certificates. The Youth Camp scholars intend to share what they have learned with the youth in their various communities.
Many scholars reflected throughout the week at Youth Camp on how to tap into their full potential. They learned new and important skills and have mapped out how to reach their dreams. In the end of camp evaluations, many scholars discussed how the skills learned in the workshop opened their eyes to how they can make life improvements. Our scholars liked and were satisfied with every aspect of the workshop including facilitators, objectives being met, relevance of the topics, facilities and materials given to them during the workshop, meeting rooms, and expressed feeling comfortable within the workshop environment.