Ten days at Skiknaba, or Summer in Algeria, by Kudzy, July 11-22, 2014

Ten days at Skiknaba, or Summer in Algeria, by Kudzy, July 11-22, 2014

Skiknaba tout en images : http://skiknaba2014.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/skiknaba-tout-en-images/

Ten days at Skiknaba

Kudzy, étudiant du Zimbabwe, raconte avec enthousiasme les dix jours de session de juillet dernier à Skikda.

Nous avons laissé le texte tel qu'il l'a rédigé : en anglais avec la finale en français.

Summer in Algeria is not easy for students.

It will be hot, boring because of no activities, but thank the Almighty God we had a wonderful, blessed time in Skikda.

Firstly it was not easy to get along because of different nationalities, languages; but where there is the love of God everything is possible.

The first day there was no activity, we only had a mass and introduction of oneself, allocation of rooms and duties.

Skiknaba, what I can say is that it was a blessing to all because after the first day we were a one big family.

We went to the beach early in the morning and almost everyone was feeling sleepy but since for most of us it was the first time, it did not matter.

We had an undescrible fun that the time seemed to be very short although I can say it was.

Furthermore, it came to the core business.

We had a service every morning and evening and this created a close relationship with us and God.

We studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and thanks to Fr Bernard who made it possible.

The  questions that worried and caused confusion about our Bible and the questions from our Muslim brothers were made easier by Fr Bruno in Que répondre.

More so, we had very interesting class such as Arabic with Fr Théo and Vivre avec le web with Anne.

Fr Théo made it possible for all of us to know the basic Arabic and through his intellectual tactics and Arabic songs it was made easier and interesting.

Our minds were then evidenced by Anne through her knowledge of the internet and her love as a mother.

We learned that our influence as Christians is needed on the internet because it is a way to experience the call to discover the beauty of faith and the beauty of encountering Christ.

Moreover, for a human being, to be happy, his/her stomach should be happy and this we thank Ramy and Fr Roland with their magic hands in the kitchen.

The food was out of this world and each day we had a new and delicious recipe.

This made the day and everyone and even in Annaba their influence was there and only the places changed but the food the sauce five star meals.

The harmony that was there fulfills the Shona proverb that "ukama igasva unozadziswa nekudya" which means that a relationship can be strengthened by food.

There was also free time to play basketball , ping-pong, cards, theatre.

This made the circle of life to be complete not to forget the beach which was loved by many.

Thanks to the fathers, everyone  now knows how to swim.

This time made us cry in tears of joy with the jokes of people like Fr Bernard and Amilton.

We managed to learn more than one language Kirundi phrases : "Tiri kuridya nyama", Portuguese and Shona and this was a lot of fun for a lifetime.

The visit to the basilique of St Agostine of Annaba was beneficial spiritually and also historically.

We learned on who was Agostine, his parents, lifestyle and how he served God in such an adorable way.

We had tours at the museum nearby and at the basilique.

We visited the old at the basilique and this strengthened the greatest commandment of love.

It is at this juncture of significance through the above that one can safely postulate that our time in Skikda was blessing and fun.

Je remercie Dieu pour tous ces moments qu'on a passés ensemble et pour toutes les grâces que nous avons reçues.

Je remercie aussi les pères, Anne, Yacine et Ramy pour leurs témoignages et interventions.

Je remercie aussi mes camarades étudiant(e)s pour leur présence, leurs interventions et témoignages.

Que Dieu nous bénisse et ne cesse d'être proche de nous. Amen !

That's my story

Elijah Anderson a.k.a. Kudzy

Étudiant zimbabwéen à Constantine

Pages 19–21 Skiknaba, L’Écho du Diocèse de Constantine et d’Hippone 15 Octobre 2014, 94^ème année no 4, http://www.eglise-catholique-algerie.org/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=812

Skiknaba : une session pour sortir de sa bulle

Du 11 au 22 juillet dernier, l’Université d’été Skiknaba 2014 a rassemblé une vingtaine d’étudiants catholiques de diverses universités algériennes. Anne Furst, journaliste résidant à Montpellier, a participé à l’animation de la session. Elle nous livre son regard sur cette expérience.

http://skiknaba2014.wordpress.com/