Activities BCS Participates In

With and For the Village

Running Well for Water

Have you ever made a “Wish List”? You know, where you can write down anything you’d really, really like to have. My neighbours from Kiniabour village chatted about their “Wish List”. Mariama said, “A freshwater pipeline so that I don’t have to get up at 3:00am to draw water from the well to make sure I’ve got enough for my family’s needs.” Senebou joined her and added, “I’d like a milling machine so that I don’t have to spend 2 hours pounding millet for a meal.” And so the conversations carried on - they always seem to have plenty to talk about!

I admire their simple, uncluttered way of life. I envy the friendships they have with each other. They’ve grown up together without constant change and “goodbyes”. They enjoy the latest, colourful fashions and dance with incredible innate rhythm. Top of my “Wish List” was a new pair of training shoes… Nike or New Balance maybe. A far cry from a water pipeline.

OK… wait a minute… a God inspired thought arrived… they need a pipeline… I can run. How about a L-O-N-G run, a sponsored marathon? “Running Well for Water” - that sounded good and summed it up. I run 42 km and they get 3 km of pipeline bringing water from the nearest bore well… the dancing, cheering, speeches, splashing, clapping, singing when the taps were turned on (November 2005) had to be seen, felt and heard to be believed.

“Ladies, use this water carefully, it is a gift from God,” the village elder said. God didn’t stop there. The money for “Running Well for Water” kept flooding in and so a milling machine was purchased (May 2005). Mariama, Senebou and the ladies of Kiniabour village have had their Wish List fulfilled! As for me, I got my new training shoes. So my “Wish List” needs to be updated… The running water has arrived so my top wish now is that their lives will be touched by the “Living Water”, Jesus.

      - A. Ally

The Village Club

“Village Club – another new thing at BCS?! I wonder what that is…” Well, the Village Club started up in February with the aim to reach out to kids who live around us and share God’s love with them, to tell them about God but also to get our MKs here in touch with people from the “outside world” around us. We chose 2 classes, 73 kids, and split them up into 3 groups. Every group came to the school on Saturday afternoons. First we sat under a tree and had a story, learnt characteristics about God and then we went onto the football pitch or into the gym for a fun and wild time of games where the BCS kids could join in too.

It was always a great pleasure to see how eager the kids were to come, to learn and to play. I think they all really enjoyed it, and so did a lot of us – although it was a big challenge too. This has been a start to something which could go on, expand and reach so many more kids who live around us… I wonder whether someone will take up this great challenge and continue in one way or the other… I do hope and pray so – and please do too!!

      - A. Reni (General helper)

Walkathon

Last year, during a visit to the local preschool, students and staff were surprised at the poor standard of the classroom that local village kids used. The walls were filthy. The room was dark. The windows and doors were falling off. The roof leaked. With a heart to help, the Year 9 ICT class decided to raise money for the school, so that it could be repaired to a condition that would be fit for teaching in. This was when the idea for the Walkathon began. The Year 9 class of 2005 organised a 24-hour walking event, where the people of BCS could volunteer to walk for 1 hour shifts that could keep a constant cycle of people walking for the full twenty-four hours, in order to raise money. Sponsored by various different people, this first walkathon was a success. This year as well, the Year 9 class organised a Walkathon event, this time for twenty hours. With the combined efforts of the BCS family, after aching muscles, sore legs and blistered feet, this year’s walkathon was also successful. The kids enjoyed the challenge, some walking all through the night, defying bedtime restrictions, talking and socialising as they walked. The money will now be used to build a new preschool in the Kiniabour village.

With and For the Students

SIPS (Sports Invitation for Private Schools)

Every year, in the beginning of March, BCS takes part in an inter-school sports competition. Up to five other schools participate in this event, competing in team sports, such as football and volleyball, and individual sports, such as athletics and track-and-field. Lasting for approximately four days – beginning on Wednesday afternoon, until Saturday evening, when the presentations and awards ceremony take place. SIPS allows the kids of the schools to also interact with kids from different schools, and make new friends.

SIPS is the highlight of the year for most the people in BCS, and a real team spirit comes together as everyone is pushed to their limits, and encourage each other over these few days. Students, staff and parents alike enjoy screaming and jumping, cheering on the runners.

Senior Weekends

At the end of the school year (end of June), the seniors of the school (years seven to eleven) go on a weekend away from the campus, for a weekend activity. Starting on Friday evening, and ending on Sunday afternoon, this is something that is much anticipated by the students. There are different activities that challenge the kids, depending on the theme of that year. The themes so far have been mainly based on TV series that are watched over the year, and is then replicated to make a ‘BCS’ version of it. The themes have varied from “Survivor” (2004) to “The Amazing Race” (2006).

Latenights

Latenights are on Saturdays and are times when the kids can stay up to a later bedtime. Latenights in BCS are split between movies and activities, usually alternating each week. The juniors (years 1-6) stay up until 9pm, and the seniors (years 7 up) stay up until 10pm. Sometime the activities can be combined, so that the seniors and juniors have one large outdoor activity together (such as Capture the Flag, or the Smuggling game). Others include the Eye Toy, or a networked computer game time, playing games like Civilisation 3 or Age of Empires 2.

FIX

Based on Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1-3, FIX is an exciting new addition to BCS. Every month, students and staff are free to come to a gathering, where they can praise God. Songs are sung, prayers are prayed and people are refreshed. No two FIX events have been the same, and there is always an electric air of hope and expectancy at what God will do!