Day four at the YUGA camp was another packed day. After breakfast, we started off with a Scavenger hunt. We split up into our family groups and scoured the premises for all of our objects. We had to search for about twenty objects that ranged from a ballpoint pen to a glass of lemonade. The trick was that we all had to stay as a group wherever we went. None of the groups had any problems. One by one, each group ran to the finish line, immediately dancing and singing the final item, the Macarena.
In the evening, before dinner, we all participated in an eye-opening activity. The activity was meant to teach everyone about global poverty. The door to the main hall was closed and we were all told to wait outside. Small groups were let in at a time. Everyone who entered was given a card which directed them to their seats. My card told me that I was a wealthy lawyer from the U.S. I was told to sit at a small table with four other people. My table was set elegantly with cutlery, a table cloth and plates; everything that we are used to seeing at home. The majority of the others were simply instructed to sit on the floor. There were three groups representing the world in terms of economic development. The majority were all poor. A small pot of rice was shared amongst a large group of people, which made individual portions small. As a member of the wealthier group, I was tended to with extreme care. This activity was a little overwhelming. It exposed us to the extreme poverty that the majority of the world’s population has the endure everyday. The poor started to fight for food. The rich looked over with guilt. The activity became emotional as blunt facts were thrown at us. Some people started to shed a few tears. I learned so much about poverty with this simple activity. It is not only awareness of the issue at hand that is important. What is of even more importance is being able to truly care for those who are affected. Each one of us felt something that night.
Our last full day at the camp started off with a workshop held by Global Governance. They had an elaborate activity prepared for us in which we got the chance to play the role of our favourite world leaders. Everyone was given the role of a different world leader with a package filled with background information. We were also assigned to a group. Some were sent to become members of the media while others were off to a mock G-8 summit meeting among other activities. I was assigned the role of Al Gore. So I held press conferences with the media to speak about my thoughts on how to mitigate climate change. I also interviewed George Bush and started a protest against offshore oil drilling. Everyone was active and participated in anyway they could. After every five minutes, there was a media update where we would get to hear an overview of the last five-minute’s proceedings. This was a great game that gave everyone more insight into the joys and frustrations of global politics.
We capped off our last full day at camp with a grand Talent Show. We had a variety of different numbers ranging from a traditional dance from Ecuador to a performance of Usher’s “You Got it Bad”. I participated in a performance of Freddy’s African dance called “The Crazy Chicken Dance” and also a step dancing number. It was great to see what other talents we all had outside of our changing the world talents.
Saturday came too fast, as it was time for all of us to go home before we knew it. I left this summer’s YUGA camp with a brain full of knowledge, a stomach full of food, a heart filled with inspiration and an address book filled with contacts. This was an amazing experience and I feel proud to have taken part in this camp. I have never learned so much from my peers. We are all bonded by the fact that we are motivated to make change in our communities. It gives me hope, knowing that there are many others like myself who are dedicated to improving the world in which we live in.
