Enabled for Great Love

ENABLED FOR GREAT LOVE THE SECOND ASIA PACIFIC CAMP FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

THECHRISTOPHER CUP

The Christopher Cup is awarded at all summer camps of the Order of Malta worldwide. The tradition started after a camp in 1994, where five Austrian youths met with a car accident on their way home after serving as helpers at the Order of Malta Summer Camp in Switzerland. All five volunteers, Ingrid Reithofer, Paul Kaltenegger, Christopher Breisky, Markus Knezevic and Thibault de Montjoye, lost their lives.

The parents of Christopher donated his beloved croquet set to the Order’s Summer Camp. It was his favourite game. The Christopher Cup Challenge is now held every year in memory of the five Austrian volunteers who served so joyfully at the camp. Thus, the tradition began and continues.

Society often calls them special, but this label is far from the daily experience for many of our differently-abled brothers and sisters. A total of 41 individuals with different physical and mental conditions were welcomed as very special games, obstacle relays, board games and sports such as croquet where teams compete for the Christopher Cup. guests during the Second Asia Pacific Camp The camp also included workshops for Youth with Disabilities, held from 6 to that stimulated both mind and body as 8 June 2018. Thirty-nine volunteers from participants were taught how to weave different countries assisted the youth as they bags, make Rosaries, perform dances, paint participated in various activities prepared by artwork, and bake homemade pasta. Most the Order of Malta Philippines, the host for importantly, there were spiritual activities that the 2018 Camp. nourished the soul including a procession,

With participants and guests coming communal prayers, and sharing sessions, from Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, recitation of Novenas, and the celebration of Singapore and the Philippines, the event was the Holy Eucharist. a colourful, inter-cultural fellowship that This holistic design of the camp was fostered dialogue and understanding among effective in empowering the participants all participants. to overcome the inhibitions that they have

During the opening program, Don Eric unwittingly developed due to their disabilities. Nicolas, Hospitaller of the Philippines, set Among them was Joshua Andre Rosas who the tone by emphasising that the camp was remarked that the camp helped him become designed to be a learning experience for both less self-conscious due to the love and guests and volunteers alike. He reminded the acceptance he felt during the event. attendees that, many times, ordinary people “Before, I would not even talk to my suffer from worse disabilities than those who classmates. But from now on, I’m a new are born with such. person,” said Joshua in his local language.

He explained that in the course of the An awards ceremony capped off the three-day camp, he hoped that the volunteers event where everyone was recognised would learn from the participants how to for the exceptional skills and talent they exude great love and hope despite limitations, demonstrated. In his closing speech, Don Eric through simple, everyday acts. Nicolas thanked the participants for teaching

The camp was held at the tranquil and everyone how to be loving individuals despite idyllic Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, a physical limitations and social discrimination. coconut plantation that was converted as a “Because you exude such a sheer positive tourist resort so that visitors could experience outlook towards life, all of you are real Philippine provincial life and local culture. The examples of lives worth living,” Don said. venue was a welcome respite from the cold and His remarks concluded an event that fast-paced urban life that many of participants proved that although we may face different are exposed to daily. A highlight of the event forms of disabilities, all of us are still enabled was the fellowship lunch where everyone ate by God to love and serve each other. sumptuous local cuisine on top of bamboo The regional youth camp is a tradition that rafts at the foot of a man-made waterfall. was started by members of the Order of Malta

The peaceful and sprawling grounds in Europe in 1984. The camp was first brought also served as an ideal setting for simple to Asia in 2017 in Singapore. but enjoyable activities that sought to build The 2019 Asia Pacific Camp will be held the self-esteem and the social skills of the in Hong Kong in October, and Australia will participants. These ranged from parlour host the 2020 Camp.

The Asia Pacific Youth Camp for the Disabled is designed to be an experience for volunteers and guests alike, to help each learn how to exude great love despite limitations in every day activities.