YConnect gets its article published in Ismaili Africa! (25th Jan 2007)

The Day of Discovery, organized by the Ismaili Womens Association DSM, (and supported by the Gavel Club), was another youth event with far-reaching consequences. The following is an Ismaili Africa article (Dec 2006 Issue) written by a YConnect team member.

A DAY OF DISCOVERY Imran Khakoo 17th September 2006 It all began when the chicken decided to cross the road. Yasmin McCluck had an energetic and bubbly personality, always excellent for good company. However, her one weakness was her vision. She was extremely shortsighted, and always bumped into things, and sometimes even apologized to them. So it was with some trepidation that she stepped up to the edge of the tarmac, the salty breeze ruffling her glossy feathers. She put on her thick bifocals, blinked a few times, and carefully looked left and right. Left and right again. Seemingly satisfied with her safety-procedure, she pushed forward gaily, singing a wordless tune to herself (Cluck-a-dee-doo-dah! Ooh-Cluck-a-da-ra-di-day!). It happened in an instant. She heard shouting and looked up, frozen in her path. Two buses filled with screaming, excited Ismaili teenagers bore down upon her. As the mechanical giants rushed at her, her final thought was an age-old question. “Why, God, WHY did I want to cross the road in the first place?” (No Chickens were actually harmed in the course of writing this article. No chickens were harmed on the actual day either … though we DID have chicken for lunch…) The teenagers got down from the bus when they reached their destination. A huge crooked wooden sign announced the venue, “SUNRISE BEACH RESORT’. They had a fleeting, beautiful glimpse of sparkling ocean through the foliage. Looking at each other with excited faces, they pushed forward, following the program Co-facilitators. They saw the ocean for a beautiful, glorious moment and then stopped short. Silhouetted dramatically against the sun stood a (bright green) conference hall. They had no idea of the horrors waiting inside. The horror of extremely bouncy beach balls (inside the conference hall, no less!), the horror of plentiful creative raw material on each of their tables (for them to mould into whatever their heart desired) and indeed, the horror of listening to James Brown sing “OW! I feel good!” over the music system. The Day of Discovery, as the program was named (befittingly), was a result of a suggestion by a group of youths. Let me start from the beginning. No chickens, and rest assured; Superman, Amelia Earhart and James Bond are not somehow involved in this. (Flashback) A talented Alwaeza named Salimah Haji, once upon a very long time ago (2005), came to Tanzania and saw that youth leadership was appallingly low-key (or absent) in the Tanzanian Ismaili Jamat. She therefore sat with a group of youths and explained the situation to them. These youths subsequently formed the Youth Connections, an initiative aimed at supporting/encouraging/understanding/helping the present youth of the Jamat. Finding a hardy friend and supporter in Mrs. Shelina Walli (IYSC Youth Development Member), we set out to Save Our Youth. A program was therefore organized by the youth (YConnect team), for the youth (everyone else), to help the youth. As it turned out, the program planted the seeds of change, of progress, and of truth in the minds and hearts of many. One of the sessions held during this program was a brainstorming exercise. The participants were split into groups and sat with select Jamati Institution representatives. Each of the groups was briefed on the purpose, mandate and specific objectives of that institution. The participants then suggested plans aimed at achieving these goals. Ideas for events were proposed. Details were worked out. One such proposal was pitched for Ismaili Womens Association representative Farah Hirji. And the rest, as they say, is history (lots and lots of organization and planning in which this specific group of participants was eventually adopted as the youth representatives + Co-facilitators). The Day of Discovery was taken up by the Ismaili Womens Association and the Ismaili Youth and Sports Committee. A talented facilitator had been taken on (Mrs. Phyllis Craun-Selka, whose vast experience revealed itself in her ability to speak for only a minute or so, adequately introducing the activity at hand, gently guiding the participants in the right direction and then allowing them to take over). (End Flashback) A “Wall of Wonder” stood waiting as the participants filed into the conference hall (the hall was actually a medium-sized room, which in the end helped enhance a feeling of closeness among all those involved). Participants were required to imprint their hands on the “wall”, and write something good about themselves (or something that made them unique). The simple pleasure of meeting new people and getting to know them was amazing to experience and witness. Friendships were forged, and trust developed easily between participants who, only an hour before, had not known each other. Random group members sat in pairs on the beach exchanging a (true) story or experience from their past. They shared how they felt during this time, and why they felt that way. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future with each other. This act of confiding brought about new friendships, and reinforced older ones. The co-facilitators were always at hand to explain, support, and encourage this process. The group was eventually expected to create some form of expression that embodied the entire group’s desires, likes, dislikes, and unique characteristics. Everybody, be it Council Official, Facilitator, Co-Facilitator, or Participant, ate together, learned together, laughed together. Before half the day was over, there was a feeling of unity, love and friendship all around. We had, in essence, become a large family, 75 members strong! Case studies were brought forward. Participants were encouraged to think about the issue at hand and suggest a creative way to convey their message to the rest of the groups. The causes and perils of “Drug Abuse” were explored in a serious impromptu skit, complete with a court scene. The importance of good “Parent-Child Communication” was dramatized by a very vocal, and entertaining, set of teenagers. “Building confidence” and “Finding your own voice” was expressed in a beautiful impromptu skit, with the devil and an angel arguing on either side of the bemused main character. The concept of “Self Belief- speaking up when others ignore me” was displayed in another heart-warming role-play. “Second chances” were given to a pregnant teenager character in yet another powerfully delivered skit. The basic question “How Cool is Cool?” was addressed using an entertaining ensemble of refreshing, entertaining characters (Including a chess player having to play soccer just to fit in). This rag-tag bunch of teenagers had been transformed, if only for one day, into a family. A family of focused, aware and extremely happy self-confident individuals ready to face the world. And indeed, ready to make a real difference.