Mentors Diary - 13th August 2007

The structure of each day at the camp is broadly similar – but each day brings a fresh set of challenges and new experiences. Ensuring the continual development, safety and enjoyment of the eight campers is the primary responsibility of each planet’s mentors - a task which I can honestly say the mentors are working on both day and night.

Outings present the greatest challenge to any mentor – being in charge of eight campers in an unfamiliar place, whilst mingling with the general public and trying all the time to make sure you have all the campers with you is quite an experience. We have so far been shopping in Stockholm and also to the Theme Park - activities which were both thorough enjoyed and brought variety to an otherwise consistent and packed schedule.

I have found mentoring very rewarding – one example is helping a camper for half an hour pronounce the words for Asr Dua correctly; and then watching him recite the same Dua a few hours later eloquently. Mealtimes, I feel, present an important and  exciting part of the camp – not only are we nourished, but the opportunity to sit at a table with people who live in four different continents (North America, Asia, Africa & Europe) is unique and not to be missed.

With only four full days remaining in the camp, the campers and mentors are all cherishing the remaining time we have as a group. During the last few days, InshAllah we can all continue to provide the campers with the enjoyable and fun activities that stretch the campers and uncover hidden talent on the path “towards excellence”.

Sajjad Hassam

Sweden 2007 - Mentor Diaries