Apr 7th, 2012 04/07/12 | Community Stories

Happiness in the family: CCF2's girls reach out

It’s sometimes easy to get the impression that CCF’s sole concern is problem solving, perhaps helping individuals with education and healthcare, or maybe aiding families with debt and domestic problems or providing the community with safe water or helping its mothers give safe and healthy birth. But that impression wouldn’t be accurate, for sometimes it is just about making life feel better, about having and sharing fun, about making and strengthening human connections. There can be no better example of that approach than CCF2’s Family Happiness program. This unique project sees teams of girls from CCF2 visit the family of one of their number. These are no ordinary social calls. The girls aim to share a full day with the targeted family, with activities and involvements for all, from the youngest to the oldest. The girls plan the day carefully, preparing games for the children, food to take and cook, useful points they would like make to youngsters and things to discuss or ask about in talking with elders. And they work from the moment they arrive, each person knowing their role, each interlinking with the others to create an intensely human day. It starts with balloons and fun, encompassing all the neighborhood children who lap up every unexpected moment and seize upon their candy prizes with delight. The games attract older relatives and friends and fast become communal while, in the background, the cooking team, have started preparing the food which they are determined will give team and family alike a fine lunch. A lull falls after the fresh fish, the rice and vegetable are consumed and when the afternoon session begins, it is with the adults of the family. Experiences are shared between old and young, emotions expressed and art, later used to decorate the household, captures moments and feelings. It is a powerful and intense time. A lull falls after the fresh fish, the rice and vegetable are consumed and when the afternoon session begins, it is with the adults of the family. Experiences are shared between old and young, emotions expressed and art, later used to decorate the household, captures moments and feelings. It is a powerful and intense time. When it is all over and there is a hint of evening in the air, the girls return to their base at CCF2, the family and village to their daily routine. But gone does not mean forgotten. The girls have entertained, helped, cooked, decorated and discussed. They have given a household and a little community a chance to stop, relax and reflect, and they and their friends will do the same for many more. And what have they learned? What has the day meant to them? One was made “… very happy and made me want to do my best in my lucky life.” Another “..learned how to talk to older people better” while the main lesson for yet another was “..just try your best to do things in life and listen to your beautiful heart.” But the final word goes to one of the pragmatic organizers, “Don’t forget to take more candy next time! 7.4.2012.Photo1 7.4.2012.Photo2 7.4.2012.Photo3 7.4.2012.Photo4 7.4.2012.Photo5
Written by

CCF Media Team

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