Community Development in East Java

Last month we hosted our annual Family Camp for the community we work with in East Java. When we first began working with this community, we asked them what their biggest need was, what they most wanted from us. Their reply was, "We want to have healthier family relationships." Given the fact that they live in abject poverty and systemic persecution, this was an unexpected and eye-opening response for our team. But it also humanized them. Who among us doesn't want a better family relationship? A healthy, loving family is a basic human need and something everybody wants more of. 

So, we started putting on annual Family Camps focused on fun family outings - usually at the nearby water park - and workshops on how to build healthier families. It has become one of our favorite events of the year, and a highlight for the community we serve. And this year was no different. Dozens of children and parents joined us for a day of fun and family development including communication skills, the importance of honesty, and conflict resolution. We brought a team from the U.S. to facilitate and everyone in attendance had a blast! We can't wait for next year!