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Day 10 - Mentors Diary - Arif Damani |
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On this last day of camp I find myself sitting outside the local shopping mall accompanied by many shopping bags given to me by atleast five campers, knowing for sure that even though
it is the final day, the campers will still be campers and in turn the mentors still have to be mentors, regardless of time and place. These campers are our responsibility, and this responsibility comes in an array of duties; as a teacher, a coach, an advisor, a helper and a brother. It would be foolish to think that the role of the mentor is ever over!
What's more worrying at this current juncture however, is that I'm managing to find some free alone time to write this diary, even though we are running about half an hour late and we still have the fun and confusion of the airport to follow....but I'm not flustered at all. Why? Because the Admin said that we're OK. Its a testament to their hardwork and dedication that my worries are immediately subdued by a simple reassurance from them. Their work usually slips inder the radar so its only fair to recognise the immense hard work put in by Hasnain P bah and Sadiq bah, without them the whole camp would be a total disaster.
Before the camp had even started all I could think about was the fear of failing in my duties as a mentor. These fears quickly disappeared solely due to the phenomenal team dynamic established between the mentors. Any shortcomings are worked upon, any issues are discussed and any problems are resolved all within the group. Our team has gone one step further than friendship, we are confidants and companions to one another. I must say a special thank you to my co-mentor Sajjad bah who always had an encouraging word to say in any situation, especially when I was trying to acclimatise to the demanding mentor three hours a day sleep rations!
This camp has been an incredible experience for me. It has pushed me physically with all the walking, sports and sleepless nights as well as mentally; the camp forced me to make quick fire decisions under pressure, to influence subtely how the campers may organise their time effectively, adapt my teaching style to suit all the age groups and it improved my patience. The improvements to my character that I have made over the past ten days can only be attributed to the campers, without them I would never have been pushed to the boundaries and limits of my abilities. Theres no doubt in my mind that I will be welcomed in any Jamaat throughout the UK, Dubai and Qatar now that I've made 34 new friends.
Its the campers who shape the camp and this year, alhumdulilah, we've had an amazing group. The only request I have of them is that they remember the lessons taught to them and the invaluable piece of advice given to them. Inshallah, all the members of this year's camp will return to serve the Sweden Camp one way or another, be it as a camper, mentor, teacher or admin. Allah is the best of planners. |
