Running a holiday club always comes with its surprises—but nothing quite prepared us for what unfolded at Vista Nova High School during our Genetik Sessions Day Camp last month.
We arrived with a simple plan: spend the day with 16 students from all grades, offering creative sessions in dance and vocals. What we didn’t expect was how deeply moving and transformative the day would be—not just for the students, but for us as facilitators too.
The students that we worked with face unique challenges, and we knew we needed to create a space that was safe, fun and connected to the purpose of Genetik Sessions. As the sessions progressed, we watched as every student participated wholeheartedly. They danced, sang, and shared—pushing past limitations and surprising even their teachers with their enthusiasm and courage.
One of the teachers who helped organise the day pulled me aside, visibly moved. She told me that some of the students in our sessions are usually aggressive or withdrawn, often refusing to engage in class. But today was different. She called it a God moment—a glimpse into what’s possible when these young people are given the right environment to thrive.
Then came a moment I’ll never forget. One student, known for never expressing emotion, broke down in tears. She shared how thankful she was for the opportunity to be part of the day and how much it meant to her to express herself in a new way. The teacher stood stunned. “She never shares how she feels,” she said. “She never cries.” But today, something shifted.
How You Can Be Part of This Story
We believe this was more than just a day camp and we’d love for you to be part of the journey.
Please pray for the young people who attended. Pray that the seeds planted through creativity and connection will grow into confidence and purpose. Pray that they’ll carry what they’ve learned into their daily lives and continue to discover their God-given potential.
Written by Gilead Engelbrecht, Nicole Marthinus and Edited by Naomi Engelbrecht
