Blog

Post Slum Survivor

by Aimee, 20 Mar 2008. Archived.

As part of Hope 2008, young people in Durham gathered together to spend their weekend the way a billion people across our world spend a lifetime. 26 young people between 13 and 19 years old signed up, recruited sponsors, and together raised (so far – money is still coming in) £275 past the target sum of £1000 for Soul Action projects. The weekend was absolutely amazing. Here are a few high points.

The actual slum building challenge was an excellent team building activity. The slum dwellings all ended up looking pretty unique as different ideas came into play – at one point it looked a bit shaky but as the families worked together they were all up and completed within 2 hours – as well as passing the weather tests!

Our first meal of rice & dhal (lentils) took ages to cook and as such was appreciated by hungry tummies! However, meager portions and lack of meal options helped communicate to us what real hunger might be like. 

The challenges throughout the weekend were a massive success.  A cold, muddy pitch set the stage for a homemade footy tournament (with some balls holding out longer than others!). Slum dwellers felt the sting of rejection whilst bartering in the 'market place', selling their own handmade paper bags. (Oddly, after two meals of rice & dhal, the flour & water paste we cooked up for the bags smelled strangely appetizing.) They were forced to make snap decisions between different-coloured Skittles – which was medicine, which was tainted? – illustrating the value of literacy in slum settings. Prizes for winning families ranged from a fizzy drink (one drink to share between their whole family) and a bag of small apples. 

In the evening of the Saturday we had a campfire where the teams were asked to provide entertainment for each other, which birthed a particularly hilarious human bowling game. They were also surprised at 11pm by a 'soup-run' from the back of a volunteer’s car – I don’t think I’ve ever seen people run so fast for soup!

The demolition challenge was an unexpected (well, fairly unexpected) twist as two 'officials' turned up and announced (with convincing malice) our eviction. One official advanced threateningly towards a particular ‘family’s’ slum and the young people, including members of other slum families, formed a human barricade around the structure. Sadly, their efforts were in vain & with a bit of brute strength, the slum was destroyed. The official, however, was not off the hook just yet – in a show of community, several young people picked him up and carried him away from the slum. (One youth wittily remarked: “You can take away our home… but you will never take our FREEDOM!”)

Now, there were decisions to be made. We had an issue: four of our mates had now been rendered shelter-less. What to do? Take them in? Let them sort it out themselves? Help them rebuild? The young people got their heads together and shared ideas on what to do and voted for the best option which involved expanding some of the standing slums to accommodate for those whose homes had been destroyed.

Whilst on night watch on Friday (night one) we came face to face with the reality of homelessness as a man turned up at 2AM and sat sharing his story through the night. With help from the vicar at the church we made steps to do what we could to help out and signpost him to longer-term agencies. All in all, his arrival that morning added an unexpected but helpful facet to the weekend that allowed young people to put a name & face on the issues we were dealing with.

By the time 8AM Sunday rolled around, we were exhausted, hungry and ready to go home. Personally, I’d never valued the bed I sleep in more than I did then. We tore down the slum, packed up & moved out. St. John’s Neville’s Cross went back to its original state, all in time for Palm Sunday services to happen. We learned loads from our weekend simulation experience. We’ve walked away with, if nothing else, a fresh perspective on poverty & social injustice and also, questions about what God might have us do to help change it.

SPONSORSHIP MONEY COLLECTION

If you are in the Rock youth group at St. Nic’s – please hand your money into Josh or Hannah & they’ll get it to us. Deeper – hand it to Susanne or Kristian. Lumley, if you’ll hand yours into Janice Turnbull. Otherwise, if you’d like to post the sponsorship money that you’ve collected, address it to:

Kate Robinson, Durham YFC

Antioch House

66 Crossgate

Durham

DH1 4PR

Thanks to everyone who was involved – we could not have done this without you.

Our slum experience is also detailed on the official Soul Action website: make sure you check it out!