The Words The Kwak Family
|
|
The Words The Kwak Family |
Sixty brothers and sisters have assembled in the Central African Republic and are making the final plans to initiate a large-scale spiritual and technical training program for Central African young people. Furthermore, the Central African Republic government has given our members a 30-year contract to manage large wildlife and game areas along the northern border of the country.
Originally scheduled to begin last November, the educational program was delayed while the government investigated another offer to run a different kind of training program. In recent months, our members have prayed and set many conditions, and our proposal has finally been approved. The program is slated to start on March 20 under the direction of Mary Bizot, with the arrival of the first group of 200 young people selected by the government of the Central African Republic. The president of the country, General Kolingba is expected to attend the opening ceremony.
Our Foundation for Moral Renewal and Vocational Apprenticeship (FARMAP in French) will receive consecutive groups of 200 young people every three months. The first month of training will be devoted to giving the students a moral and spiritual foundation for their lives, based on the Principle. The next six months will focus on general agriculture, animal husbandry and fish farming. In the concluding eleven months, the students may choose among various technical subjects, including sewing, electricity, typing, carpentry and shoe-making. During the entire program they will live together with our staff, participating in morning prayer and Sunday services.
"The motto of loving God, people and country is an expression of Father's vision for our work in developing countries," Rev. Kwak explained. "The countries need technical aid, but most important is the moral and spiritual development of their people. Through this kind of education, we as a church want to set the example of how to offer support and education to countries of the third world."
In his meetings with the President of the Central African Republic and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Rev. Kwak elaborated on our goal to teach the young people to love God, love people and love their country. Government officials were initially interested only in technical training programs, but Rev. Kwak emphasized the prime importance of giving young people a moral and spiritual standard for their lives, as a foundation for any further education. The country has many potential resources, he added, and with well- trained young people, it can make much progress.
The 60 members of the FARMAP staff are now working on final preparations for the program. They have all attended 21-day workshops and many participated in the recent 40-day workshop held in Bangui (see accompanying story by Jacques Marion). Mary Bizot will direct FARMAP, assisted by Hanna Reinbold, in charge of general affairs; Roger Malonda Vumbi from Zaire, in charge of spiritual training; and Juergen Reinhardt, in charge of technical training. The students will be divided into three classes, and each class will be assigned six or seven group leaders, many of whom are experienced members from the Zairian family.
Supplies such as tractors, agricultural machinery, generators, motors, teaching tools, sewing machines, cars, etc., have been purchased and are en route to the Central African Republic.
In another phase of our movement's aid to the Central African Republic, our members will manage a national park area, in return for completing a development plan which had been started some time back but left unfinished. The land in question includes 10,000 sq. km. of game preserves and a fishing and hunting area totaling 5,000 sq. km. along the Chad border in the north-central part of the country.
The Avakaba Park and the National Park of Bamingui-Bangoran are suitable for safaris by those interested in observing the varied African wildlife in its natural habitat.
There are hotel facilities available, and a small tax will be levied on tourists who come in order to support programs designed to control poaching. The Ministry of Water, Forest, Hunting, Fishing and Tourism has given our members the exclusive right to promote tours to this area.
The regions set aside for hunting are rich in various antelopes, especially the Derby eland, as well as lions. The Aouk River, which marks the border with Chad, is large and rich in fish, suitable for sport fishing. In the dry season there are many fine sand beaches. If elephant hunting becomes permissible, other sections may be open for hunters as well.
Abdelkader Mesbah is coordinating the plans for the tourist and hunting programs.