Third Annual Hidri Games!
From March 14th through the 16th 2014, YPFDJ/HIDRI Dallas hosted the Third Annual “History Of our Times” retreat, a three day retreat that was designed to unite the youth in Dallas through the bond that ties all of us together - our history, the past, present & future. Last year the workshop focused on covering Eritrean history from the border dispute to current events. This year's workshop focused Psychological warfare and it’s effect on Eritrean youth, and how we as Eritreans should view ourselves. In order to strengthen our community and be the best ambassadors for Eritrea we must first learn to work together, have the ability to sacrifice our needs for others and be able to tolerate all the negative things that might be thrown our way. It is with that spirit that the we designed the activity based portion of our retreat that focused on teaching HIDRI members the importance of Bisaynet (camaraderie), Tewfiynet (Sacrifice) and Tseawrnet (tolerance), the three essential values that are necessary in ensuring we are building a strong conscious patriotic youth that can play leadership roles in their communities
38 Kids, 13 Chaperones 3 Days
“The HIDRI GAMES”
The idea of the HIDRI GAMES was that everyone was separated into four districts Red (district 13), Blue( district 61 ), Green (district 91), and Yellow( district 98). Each district would be competing against each other in a series of tasks and challenges that would not only question their knowledge on Eritrea but also test their skills on Bisaynet (camaraderie), Tewfiynet (Sacrifice) and Tseawrnet (tolerance).
Once the theme was announced, each member soon realized that the groups they were placed in were actually their districts and the years that were given to each group represented a significant year in Eritrean history. They then had to work together and combined their knowledge to figure out the significance of this year and teach it to the other districts. Upon arrival everyone settled into their cabins and regrouped for the next activity.
Bitsaynet Challenge: “Human Maze”
The Human Maze Challenge was designed to test each members understanding on the importance of Bitsaynet. Each district entered the Maze together and in order to win they had to finish together. Through this exercise they were able display Bisaynet by not letting a member of their group get left behind and also encouraging each other to continue on to the finish line.
Once the theme was announced, each member soon realized that the groups they were placed in were actually their districts and the years that were given to each group represented a significant year in Eritrean history. They then had to work together and combined their knowledge to figure out the significance of this year and teach it to the other districts. Upon arrival everyone settled into their cabins and regrouped for the next activity.
Bitsaynet Challenge: “Human Maze”
The Human Maze Challenge was designed to test each members understanding on the importance of Bitsaynet. Each district entered the Maze together and in order to win they had to finish together. Through this exercise they were able display Bisaynet by not letting a member of their group get left behind and also encouraging each other to continue on to the finish line.
Tewfiynet Challenge: “Cornucopia”
The night went on with our campfire group discussion, where each group had to volunteer a tribute to perform an unknown task which was our cornucopia challenge. The tributes selected had to collect hidden boxes in the woods and retrieve them back to their districts as well as collect enough sticks for each member in their district. Each box contained limited amount of food and materials for the next morning. Each district had to ration out the food amongst their peers. This task tested their Tewfiynet skills in making sure that each member would be able to eat. While some members complained the vast majority were strategizing who should eat what, some even went a step further volunteering their portion to those who needed it the most.
The night went on with our campfire group discussion, where each group had to volunteer a tribute to perform an unknown task which was our cornucopia challenge. The tributes selected had to collect hidden boxes in the woods and retrieve them back to their districts as well as collect enough sticks for each member in their district. Each box contained limited amount of food and materials for the next morning. Each district had to ration out the food amongst their peers. This task tested their Tewfiynet skills in making sure that each member would be able to eat. While some members complained the vast majority were strategizing who should eat what, some even went a step further volunteering their portion to those who needed it the most.
Day one was concluded with our annual campfire group discussions where HIDRI members were allowed to bring up any questions that they had about Eritrea to generally day to day issues and questions faced by young Eritreans living in the Diaspora. The camp fire group discussion was designed to allow members to bond by sharing their struggles and challenges they face as individuals as well as seek advise from their chaperones.
Day Two began with HIDRI waking up bright and early and eating breakfast with their districts followed by a scavenger hunt that required the groups to work together by using their combined knowledge on Eritrean history. With the “There is no I in team” mentality, they were able to work together as a unit. Through this exercise they were able to show a sign of growth and maturity. The day continued with many different team bonding activities that were designed to allow them to all work as a team to accomplish the activities. From archery to zip lining to dueling ladders the groups were definitely put to the test and had to put faith in themselves and their groups as well.
Following the team building activities, the retreat shifted to the seminar portions. The first seminar provided good insight addressing the title “Habesha” and the history of where the word derived from. Alex and Filmon both gave compelling facts and details pertaining to the title and what it means to call yourself Habesha now. After a break for lunch we continued on with our next portion of the seminar with Simon Tesfamariam presentation on “Psychological warfare” and it’s effects on Eritrean youth. Following the presentations HIDRI had many questions regarding the information presented and left the seminar being both empowered and intrigued to continue to be engaged.
Over all, the event was a great success as HIDRI Dallas arrived with the thirst to learn their Eritrean history and left armed with knowledge and ready to become the ambassadors and advocates for Eritrea. We would like to thank everyone that attended, but most importantly we would like to thank our guest speakers Simon, Filmon, and Alex who not only taught us but left us motivated to continue the Eritrean legacy.
~HIDRI DALLAS~
Over all, the event was a great success as HIDRI Dallas arrived with the thirst to learn their Eritrean history and left armed with knowledge and ready to become the ambassadors and advocates for Eritrea. We would like to thank everyone that attended, but most importantly we would like to thank our guest speakers Simon, Filmon, and Alex who not only taught us but left us motivated to continue the Eritrean legacy.
~HIDRI DALLAS~
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