Post In Youth Articles
Added by Andi Topping on Friday 26th September 2008

Knock is putting out a call to anyone interested in taking part in a team to Brazil next summer as part of Tearfund’s Transform initiative.

If you are aged 17+ and fancy a holiday offering an experience that will last much longer than any tan, as well as an opportunity to share your faith and build new relationships, then this trip could be for you.

Under the leadership of Paul Brown, the team will spend two weeks (22nd June to 8th July) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, working with Casa Filadélfi (CAF), a Christian organization, which supports children, adolescents and families living with or affected by HIV.

Paul explained that CAF projects are designed to reach out to people who are excluded from society.

“The aim of project is to help people restore their self-esteem and equip them with the skills they need for the future. Casa Filadélfia, meaning Philadelphia House, is an orphanage for HIV-positive children and a drop-in centre for people affected by aids. It offers children, young people and their families, emotional, spiritual and social support.

“This takes the form of healthcare advice, sexual health guidance, psychological support, careers guidance and legal advice. It also carries out HIV prevention work and tries to prevent the abuse of children as well as holding church services, running Bible courses and putting people in touch with local pastors and churches. We are also planning to run a Junior Kings Cross-style programme or holiday bible club for a week as the main focus of our work,” he said.

The Knock team will undertake practical work such as housekeeping, painting, etc. The team will also be involved in the church services, coaching sports, leading workshops, projects at schools, visiting families and projects in the favela (shanty town).

Paul said that Transform trips are designed for church and student groups to go overseas together with programmes being tailor-made to suit the group’s needs.

“The amount of involvement Tearfund will have in our trip can vary, depending on what we need. A team from Transform will be involved in our orientation to ensure we receive the appropriate training and will also provide us with the necessary paperwork and health clearance. After the trip, Tearfund’s Youth Team will be available to help us connect the experiences of the trip with our daily lives,” he added.

Paul is looking for eight young people and adults aged 17+.  Ideally, the team would have a range of skills, including teaching, music, drama, arts and crafts, Bible study and sports.  Interviews will be held in October and an information evening has been organised in the Bell Hall for Sunday 21st September, after the 7.00pm Service. If you are interested and want more information contact Paul Brown on 0797 3674777 or at pbrown@knockpresbyterian.co.uk  

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