The blessings of iTemba

A while back I told you about a camp that was here, iTemba, I also said I let you know more about the group. ITemba is a non-profit Christian organization that reaches out to a community in close proximity to Pietermaritzburg. It is a poor community and I was told that has the highest aids rate in South Africa. It is a tribal community which means there is a chief that is the head of everything.

The iTemba organization provides so much for this community including education in parenting , day care, pre school, kids clubs for all ages, teaching them how to use what they have in the best way. Basically they are showing them the love of Christ.

Once a year they bring two groups of kids to camp. The first camp is for younger kids.  I’m told that on the day of registration the kids sleep on the sidewalk so they have the best chance of getting to come. They bring 60 kids each camp period so if you want to be one of them you gotta get there early. Camp here is very different from the camps our kids are use to. It’s only one full day and two half days so a total of two days.  They are busy from the time they get off the bus to the time they leave.  Some of the kids have never even experience a real shower before and they were excited about that. Can you imagine? The camp is paid for by the iTemba group. What a treat for kids that would never be able to experience camp any other way!

This picture is of the second group ages 13-18. They were so much fun to watch. The pool was a particular favorite of theirs, it didn’t even matter that is was cool and the pool isn’t heated. They also took the kids to the ocean one morning and had a sack lunch on the beach. These leaders are the ultimate when it comes to organization.

On the last day when this picture was taken the kids formed a circle and asked the our ladies to come into the center, then one of the kids, who spoke for the group, thanked them for all they had done to make their stay so nice. Then I was asked to enter the circle and a different young person thanked me for hosting and spending time with them. They were so polite and appreciative. It was a great camp!

These two groups of kids really touched my heart as did their leaders.

So that is what I know about the iTemba group. Reaching families for Christ though service.