Savva Delegation Update

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

The Savva Delegation is off to a good start at camp. They are in the midst of their fourth full day. They have had three teaching days and today they took the day off for a trip to the park with all the children. They are enjoying their time and overall the team is remaining healthy despite the time change, heat, and change in food.


Daily Schedule:
Each day, the delegation follows the same basic daily schedule. It begins at 7:30 in the morning with a team meeting in order to see how everyone is doing. At 8:30 it is time for breakfast. English classes start at 9:30 in the school. Then, they have some free time. Lunch is at 12:30 followed by some organized activity time. Some of the group plays sports with the kids, while others do quieter activities (hair, nails, tattoos, etc). This is followed by a nap and then snack time. After snack, some of the group does some special activities with the youngest children while others have some more free time. Dinner is at 6:30 followed by an evening activity (craft, relay race, carnival, etc). This is followed up each night with dancing and then getting cleaned up. The night ends around 10:30 with a meeting to talk about the activities for the next day.


Overall Impressions
Those that are visiting Savva for the first time have been amazed at how quickly specific children become attached to them. On the first day I walked up to a group of children and they proudly informed me that two of the delegates were Vika's mom and dad. This family has sponsored her for the last few years and finally had a chance to meet her in person. You could see by the smile on her face how special it made her feel that her sponsors came to visit.


Those that are returning to Savva for the 2nd, 3rd, or even 6th time, have been reminded of how much it means to the children for them to return. Many of these delegates have had the opportunity to actually hear the children's life stories. The first year they spent a lot of time hugging and playing with children, but now that they have returned they have the opportunity to sit and talk with the children. So many are willing to share extremely difficult stories because the delegates have earned their trust over the years.


The delegation has three more full days at camp. They will return to Taraz on Thursday morning.