Author's note: this piece is dedicated to each and every single member of my Conectar family :)
It has been 5 years since the first time I attended a GE camp, yet I still get very emotional, connected, and touched each time. Every camp since then has had its own special place in my heart. Somewhere along the journey, I have also had to sadly hold back (and it hurt a lot!) but that is a different story for another day. Today, a day after the winter camp ended, the shortest camp I might add, which I honestly thought and questioned in terms of connections that will be made has left me numb, speechless, filled with tears of joy for the honour of knowing a bunch of incredible individuals; even better that they feel like, in fact, they are a family to me.
Connectar or Conectar as Alisha would correct me, which I might add wasn’t even my spelling in the first place (she won’t accept this!), has become a part of my life without even realizing. I remember getting a call from the head of logistics for the camps months back and she asked if I had the time in December to do another camp. As the GM of a villa, Christmas and NY is a peak period so I hesitated for a moment but agreed to serve on the evening stagger; 1915 till 0330 for me. Crazy you might say? Well, my Nanu has left me with a legacy of serving and I value this blessing, this privilege very highly but above all, only the blessed get to serve.
I got the confirmation to be on the team and connected with the Senior Staff team. Zara, one of my participants from 2015 was a co-OpD. I am so proud! So ideally, you do camp and post that, the conversations die but Zara and I have remained in touch. Her abilities to do all that she does at her age, inspires me, a lot!
I met Raheel briefly during the 2018 Pakistan camp; that was a camp I hadn’t fully immersed in though for personal reasons, so I knew him but not did not know him. I had never met Mother Nature or Planet Earth before (#conectarreference)! I am so glad that I now know all 3 of them; their energy, their thoughtful creativity, their dedication and their passion for teaching is something I will always treasure.
“I am not a cheater, but I love winning and I have ways of doing that within the ethical boundaries” – Mwalim Rahim
Every camp has special memories, mostly, it will be the little things that you will remember for years to come; things that break the ice; allow for bonding to happen and eventually bring you together as a family. I’d say for us, the ice broke during the 2 socials we held. Although they were a complete contrast of each other, but they did the job! Aamal – my partner in crime should always remember that we never cheated, it was simply teamwork, and Malika, I know will have a facepalm at this point; perhaps, the truth is stretched a bit… #codenames
I cannot miss mentioning the food connection we all share; travel stories with Alisha; Swahili with Nafisa (teach me more please!) and the incredible amount of sass, banter and sarcasm that actually bonded us even more.
I remember the one time I was all serious with a very strict face and Nirali’s comment lightened the mood.
Ruhafzo, I do hate that filter function!
And of course, I should co-host a mindful minute at the Church of Aisha!
I cannot believe how easily (and unbelievably - I must say) Taufiq bonded with the family. As a late entry, it is always so tough (believe me I know!), but he is incredible. Saadiya and Taufiq’s cabin was my regular check-in. I call Saadiya, Shadow. I guess this nickname finally has its real meaning – she is my Shadow; one of my most special people since 2015. I really miss having our ‘check-ins’ in Karachi every 6 months. Clifton JK and Xander’s; I truly miss those times. I enjoyed spending time in their cabin not as a Mwalim but just as a part of the cabin. Of course, I would be introduced as ‘the world traveller’ – so much of an ego boost :p. I hope they read the Macbeth! Also, the rule of thirds – I did improvise very well!! I am so proud *collar raised*!
I have always said facilitation is a very difficult role; one I would fail at, royally! Majdi’s facilitation during the family visits was truly remarkable. It was my 2nd camp with him in a row and his dedication to giving back despite all odds against him is simply inspiring. On the 2nd day of ‘office hours’, I think I put Ariana in the waiting room when I wanted to actually put Alisha HAHA.
They say life is incomplete without pain and for me, I felt pain when Savsan wasn’t able to attend the closing. I felt how she must be feeling and even though she was able to join towards the end, it was barely a minute left. Earlier in the day, I was discussing with Shazia and Zara the piece I thought I should read during open mic but post-closing and given what I felt, I read a completely different piece and truly dedicated it to her. Her message to me, later on, is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever received.
It is unbelievable when I look back at my calendar and most of us have only known each other for just about a month and a half; all virtually yet we have spent the last couple of days, if not more, having shed some tears. Nirali, your story has a very special place in my heart; ‘the door between us and Him’
For me, there is no logical reasoning for these kinds of bonds and there shouldn’t be one as such, but the one thing that does unite us is our allegiance to the Imam of the time. It is our faith in Him that brings us together, guides us in our daily lives and makes us feel that we should give back. Some of us woke up at 4; others did not sleep till sunrise; some survived on 4 hours of sleep for months while others gave away their earned holidays to the cause; words will never do justice to how I feel about all this.
Mwalimu Esmael once told me ‘live in the moment, Rahim’. There is perhaps no greater advice that I have taken seriously than this one. Life is one-way and time never stops or returns so do the things you want and express how you feel, today! As Nisha said ‘it is easy to ask for forgiveness than permission’
GE has transformed my life. My camp stories are endless, to be honest. I laugh and cry thinking of all the moments that are engraved in my heart like it was yesterday. They act as reminders of the incredible time I spent; discussions I had; embarrassing moments; connections I made; the inspiring young individuals I met who were giving back despite all the odds; the unity of the team during the highs and lows of the camp; the warmth around a borne fire on a cold safari night still warms my soul; as I said, endless! My heart is filled with gratitude for all the memories and Conectar is perhaps one of the most special ones for me.
All of me loves all of you….
Peace!
Champ!
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