Building resilience

“I now understand I have a lot to learn. I need to take my time and learn if I want the best for my life.” — Grace, youth resiliency camp participant

Eighteen families are enrolled in Bethany's family preservation and empowerment program in Ghana, and youth from each family were invited to attend resiliency camp.

Here, teens learned essential skills, like how to manage peer pressure, build relationships, explore career paths, and live successfully and independently on their own.

A group of 23 young people, ages 14-23, gathered at a church in Ghana’s eastern region near the Akuapem mountains for a peaceful, empowering week of devotions, hiking, training, and workshops.

For most, it was their first time leaving home and visiting a new part of their country. They were able to step away from day-to-day chores, like caring for younger siblings, cleaning, and maintaining the household, to interact with teens their age, in a safe, educational space.

Life is filled with hard decisions, especially for teenagers. Let’s continue working to give these youth the chance to build resiliency to the things that can make life even harder—drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence, and poverty.

Ama said, "When I attended camp, I was happy. I saw big trees and so many things. I’ve learned how to talk to people, how to show respect, how to say no to bad things.”

Youth engaged in discussions and games focused on challenges they might face and how to persevere. Volunteer mentors provided guidance and answered questions about starting a business and building a career path.

After the camp, Theresa said, “I experienced a lot, and I was happy because I have not attended a camp like this before. I met new people and made friends. I learned how to start a business and make profits. I learned how to make use of my time as well as how to correct mistakes and move on—because a mistake does not end your life. You can do better next time.”