Brunei Darussalam
KidsGames in Brunei
A teenage leadership development model
Introduction
The KidsGames (KG) in Brunei was held from 10th-14th December 2003 and was attended
by 150 Kids, 81 Youths and 40 Adults. It was a partnership between 5 groups in the
city during the school year-end holidays.
The Joseph Curriculum and five Competition Games were used during the KG. It was held
on school premises where the sessions were done in classrooms and the games were played
in the school hall and grass field.
Purpose
What was significant about what happened in Brunei is that the whole leadership team
were teenagers trained to look after the children.
We wanted to run KG as a Youth Activity during the year-end school holidays. The model
is that the Youths would run the 10 KG sessions as well as the Competition Games.
They would be supported by Adults who would take care of the Meals and Overall Co-ordination.
How did we do it?
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As it was a teenage leadership activity, we organized training for the youths and
adults. The youth training was 15 hours long, over 5 mornings and a shorter adult
training of 2 ½ hours.
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We formed youth teams to run the sessions. During the youth training, we identified
10 teams of 4 youths each. Each team would be responsible for some 15 Kids, and had
a designated Leader. Their role is to lead the Curriculum in terms of the 10 sessions.
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Thirdly, we identified a Games Head. This person would be responsible for ensuring
that the five competition games are carried out. To support the Head, there were some
20 youths from whom specific Leaders for each competition games were selected.
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Fourthly, we had to support the youths during the KG as they led the sessions and
games. This came in the form of Adult Supervisors for the sessions and Daily Review
sessions with all the youths at the end of each day of the KG.
What worked?
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Some youths worked well with their roles, especially those who are out-going and has
some (limited) experience of working with children.
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The training. As it was compulsory for the Curriculum Teams, it was a good opportunity
to see the youths and provide a chance to check them during the training times before
they are selected into teams, and designated roles.
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The involvement of the youths during training. The trainers were basically facilitators
where with the youths, a consensus method was used to select the Warm Up Games and
what format. They also shared ideas on Memory Verses, and Teaching Methods.
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The mixture of youths in each team helped as they worked off each other strengths.
In addition, having youths from different churches in each team helped to develop
friendships amongst the youths that are still being developed after the KG.
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The appointment of the Games Head whose role is to ensure that the Competition Games
are organized and executed. This appointment helped the KG Director to focus on support
for the Curriculum teams and the youths in general.
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The daily review was good as it was done in 2 parts, first in their roles and secondly
corporately as the Mission Team. It was also a chance to build bonding amongst the
youths through encouragement from the Scriptures. It is a necessary part of the Leadership
building Activity.
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The availability of the Curriculum and Games materials.
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A KG Director who is available at all times.
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The enthusiasm of the youths as they serve the Kids together.
What didn't work?
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Too many youths in each team. To start off, we had 4 youths per team but because there
was an excess of Youths in the Games team (ranging from 25 to 35), we allocated 1
or 2 more youths per team from the 4th KG session onwards which did not always help
the Kids nor the Youths who were in that team. It was good for those groups with problem
Kids but for those without, it started to overwhelm the Kids.
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The youths did not always able to direct certain elements of the KG e.g. we wanted
to play some ice-breakers with the 150 Kids all together, the youths assigned could
not carry out their roles.
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Assuming that the youths know what to do at all times. This was evident in the Curriculum
and Games.
What would we do differently next time?
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More time with the youths. As it was a partnership between 5 groups, the bond between
the youths of the various groups only started when we came together for the training
i.e. 10 days before the start of KG.
Summary
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Having organized a number of youth activities in the last four years, I would
run a KG again.
Running KG as a youth development model has many advantages, some of which are as
follows :
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It puts them in a real live environment.
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It's ministering to Kids for 10 sessions over 5 days. Their tiredness became joy as
the KG progressed.
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It brings home the reality of service. One of the feedback at the daily reviews was
a sense of frustration as they were not getting the attention they want from the Kids
at the start of KG.
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It brings home the joy of serving others. Some of the youths commented that they would
not trade their Kids with another set of Kids.
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A sense of ownership of the activity. The 'success' of KG depended on the youths as
they worked together in service to the Kids.
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It develops their self-confidence. They grew in confidence at every session as the
Kids responded to their leading and teaching. The spread of 10 sessions over 5 days
is good as they have time (plenty of) time with the Kids.
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It involves everyone. Every youth was serving in one way or another everyday, for
the five days of the KG.
Other benefits received:
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Kids enjoyed KG more than the usual Children Camp.
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The interaction and involvement of Kids in the program was a very big plus as compared
to a typical children camp. One month on, some of the Kids are still asking for the
next KG.
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Unity of all the groups involved in the partnership. This is happening among the Kids
and Youths as they were working together in unity (and partnership).
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Adults coming together to organise the KG has built/developed better friendships and
camaderie across the leaders.
To find out more contact Brunei KidsGames to
obtain the full overview document.
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