Shanil Khowaja, a youth from Hyderabad, Pakistan, shares a highly enthusiastic account of his experiences at community’s Secondary Teacher Education Programme’s Camp and his experience at Global Encounters Camp. A must read!

By Shanil Khowaja

Life is, indeed, a blessing – a blessing by every means. So far as I have perceived, there are always two varying TIMES a person encounters in his life; one of which is ‘when life shows you the way to live, or indirectly, when He (Imam) indicates’. This is when you relish the most, when you feel more blessed – more blissful; when you comprehend the world as something beyond, when you believe that He is going to take care of all your calamities and afflictions, when you know that whatever the moment it is He will always be there for you and with you. Just being a person same like others, I also have been through this TIME; which were purely life changing moments. It begins with Step Camp 2014 and was accelerated by Global Encounters Camp 2015.

It was, probably, 2012 when I first heard the name Step – in REC where my cousin studied and attended Step classes, in Karachi. By that time, I was totally oblivious of this unique term, yet I wanted to experience it once. Time passed and this minute memory passed like a flash, as well. The second time I heard its name was, as a camp, in my city – in Hyderabad. I rushed to my mom saying that I cannot afford to miss this glorious opportunity. I attended its orientation, acquired the form and started to fill it. I still remember that I almost took about three to four weeks to make my views and ideas clear, precise and explicit in that form. 28 November – my birth date – when I received the mail asserting:” Hello Steppers!” I was selected! It was a gift. My best birthday present ever!

It really is challenging to describe each day of that remarkable camp in a nutshell. Yet some moments have left their marks on my eternal soul already, which lift me up in every instant of life that’s why I would love to share some of those.

I still remember the time when I reached at the Step camp venue. The first thing, I observer there, was some energetic, polite, self-confident, pleasant and wonderful people greeting us. It was the first time that I came across with such astounding people in my 17 years life. For me it really was too tough to blend there – for a couple of days. But actually I realized this very soon that adapting there is not that difficult – because of their cooperative and frank attitude. Their affection, their graciousness and especially the sessions – the Step teachers delivered, taught me something that I always had desired for.

The theme of that camp was based on the book of class VII, “On the Wings of the World”; therefore, every single activity was related to literature. The activities included, Rumi Act, Shahi Dawat (Royal Dinner), Imam’s Deedar, Diversified Ways to Reach to God, Street Theatre, Trustees of God’s Creation – Nature and Human (best session), Coffee Shop, Ta’alim Curriculum, Poetry writing and Art work, etc. Here, I would just discuss a session: Trustees of God’s Creation.

We were awoken at 4:15am, went to Jamat Khana and then – in spite of returning back to our breakfast place – went to the garden, right at the front of Jamat Khana. The sun hadn’t risen by 5:45am. It was so dark. Latter, we – steppers – were separated amongst two groups. The activity initiated with some thought-provoking words spoken by Step teachers. After that we had to pick a chit which had our partner’s number written; followed by picking another chit which acknowledged us the task – one of the five senses – we had to perform. For instance, I received ‘sense of hearing’. So now I had to listen to every sound and write what that sound was! For about next 30 minutes we tried our best to focus the nature through our senses. Once we were done, our Step teacher briefed us about the Nature’s reality: as God’s manifestation! By that time, sun had risen and now we were said to inscribe our devotional feelings on a piece of paper in a poetic manner. For instance, I chose ‘Human’ as a significant segment of nature! In fact, these were the assets by which we found ourselves connected to God.

The people who made this camp worth were Apas (sisters), Bhais (brothers), Magicians and Gurus (Step Teachers). Our daily schedule always remained hectic like lights off timing was 10:30pm and wake up time was 4:15am. However, we usually slept at 1:30am, after getting free from gossiping and fun – though the wake up time remained same. I still remember that each dorm and each room was given a particular name (literary names like Diwan, Kutub-Khana, Khana-e-Ghalib, Khana-e-Iqbal, etc.) regarding its purpose. In the same way, each day of the camp was entitled with a specific theme for instance, Ishq (love), Alwida (bye – the last day of the camp), etc. We were provided every single accessory – except for phones so that we might not get distracted – to remain in an easeful environment. Among all, what I liked the most was my interaction with the Step teachers. I still feel thankful that I got that amazing chance that I met, later became my favorite teachers, Step Teachers.

Before Step camp, I was an ordinary guy who remained tangled every time. But after the camp, my life was directed on a different path – the path of love, devotion and compassion to God and Imam. This made me more devoted towards the service of others. It, really, was the first time when I felt myself important, and when I was immensely appreciated for my poetry – and learnt more about it as well. I didn’t change actually but knew who I really should be.

It might feel that the camp only passed me some knowledge but it gave something else as well – a family of friends! As a whole, I thought that this might be the only thing I ever dearth in my 17 years life, but who knew that something bigger was waiting for me!

Just after I reached my home I heard that Global Encounters, was again, about to occur in June and July of 2015. I enthusiastically filled the form but this time it wasn’t Shanil who filled the form but Stepper Shanil did. Once done with the form, I almost forgot that I even had applied for GE, because of secular education and other activities. Although, yet, I remember the time when my mom woke me up so early – yelling actually – that I got selected. The journey to change had just begun. Although, GE was a 25 days camp yet it felt that it concluded so early.

I, honestly, am unable to explicitly and precisely explain GE in just few words because GE has taught me diversified important lessons of life. GE taught me to appreciate and respect myself regardless of where I belong to. It made me realize that we all are blessed with the notion of volunteerism. We all were different yet same. We had had varying perceptions, thoughts, culture and languages but above all we all were Ismailis and children of Mowla.

In addition to aforementioned, this astounding experience gave me opportunity to encounter and learn about variety of cultures and practices. Living along 60 participants, belonging to 24 different countries, opened a door to learn about the Global Ismaili community and Muslim Ummah, to learn the vision of Imam and to be an ambassador or representative of the Jamat worldwide i-e: Global citizen or in the state where you dwell. Global Encounters not only presented a vibrant cultural side of the Africa and the Globe but also made me connected to it and developed a pluralistic approach towards it.

Global Encounters is a residential international camp that focuses on three major themes: Service, Leadership and Culture.

Service:

It is really difficult to describe “service” as a whole but whenever I listen to this term, my service site “Port Reitz” (a school of differently abled students) comes in my mind. GE taught me to think of the people needs than judging what they would need. GE not only opened up the gates of service but also taught me to comprehend the notion of volunteerism. More precisely, I have learnt that how to work on a project. In Port Reitz, I and my group worked on trash bins, wall painting, teacher appreciation, arts and crafts, and cementing of roads. In the same way, other groups did varying projects in their respective service sites.

Leadership:

The best part of leadership theme was our lunch with Institutional leaders in Kampala, Uganda – Serena Hotel. though everyone is not a born-leader yet Global Encounter is a camp that trains the youth to be the future leaders of our society. Giving the opportunity to speak and to encourage us so that we can escalate our confidence, were some of the ways GE built up our leadership skills.

Culture:

Our globe is a pure blend of vibrant and diversified culture. And it gets lively especially when many cultures are pluralized in a platform. GE is actually that platform. The workshops included the choir, cooking, learning Kiswahili, dancing and drumming, etc. All of these provided great opportunity to encounter the culture of Kenya.

Habari Gani, kicha asus, kem cho, kese ho, chetur asti, are different yet have same meaning: how are you. In the same way, the famous Syrian song: YO YO became the favorite of everyone.

Today, after experiencing GE, I can easily say that yes I have seen many traditions, and yes I have encountered many cultures;

Core sessions

Mwalimu Deenaz the teacher who opened my perception about the globe. Whenever I think of her, her voice I hear saying: “Clean your glasses to look things differently”. Core sessions were actually carried out by Mwalimu Deenaz. The sessions were further classified on varying themes: Extremism, cosmopolitan ethics, and etc. Yet the core theme of each session was different but there was a common thing as well that I found; it was to see the world with a different perspective and to be aware of the context.

Excursions

The most exciting and astounding part of GE. We had our excursions to a beach, a safari, and to AKDN institutions. Above all, our visit to Kampala, Uganda almost changed the way I comprehended the world. The opportunity to encounter the leaders, to have lunch with them, to discuss and negotiate with them, and to visit the works of AKDN indeed opened my mind and have assisted me regarding the future.

Bujagali, a hydropower plant that electrifies most of the area of Uganda, was also visited by us. In addition we also visited the Source of Nile, in Lake Victoria.

Conclusion

Global Encounters is not just a residential camp of 25 days but a home away from home; and we were not only 60 participants but a family of 60 members. This family is looked after by N’dugus (Brothers), Dadas (Sisters) and Mwalimus (Teachers). There could never be a conclusion to life and its teachings. After all: “What appears to be the End may really be a new Beginning.”

 

[1] http://iis.ac.uk/graduate-studies/step
[2] http://theismaili.org/community-service/service-and-learning-part-what-makes-global-encounters-profound-life-experience