It was 6:55 am on a bright Wednesday morning. Ziya woke up like she always did when she had to go to school. Summer vacation had begun, but she truly did not know what to do during it. She had many ideas in her mind, like most children do, but doing them was a feat on its own.

So Ziya continued to sit on her bed with her journal open in front of her and began writing a list of things she wanted to do this summer. She had her usuals — go to the beach, swim, hang out with friends, and maybe write some poetry or something along those lines. Her school had finished just a few days ago, and she desperately wanted to make herself busy. She wanted to enjoy her summer break to the fullest because before she would even know it, she would end up in class six. Such a big girl that would make her, Ziya thought to herself.

She loved summers and always had so many things she wanted to accomplish in those two months so that when the school year started, she would be ready and fully energised for a new start. It would surprise you to know that Ziya loved summer vacation so much that when she had to choose a topic to write on in her final English exam, she chose “A day at a summer camp”.

Well, the other topic was to write about her worst nightmare, and she certainly did not want to write something like that. Probably, Mina, her best friend would. She loved everything related to horror and couldn’t wait to watch the scarier ones when she grew up.

Ziya was still thinking about what to do and how to execute all her summer plans when her mother entered the room. She got a little startled to see Ziya up so early, so she sat down beside her and asked, “What happened Zozo? Why are you up so early today?”

Ziya replied, “I just couldn’t sleep any longer, Mama! I’m bored already. I want to do something fun, but unique in the holidays, not the same old activities again.”

“What same old activities, sweetheart? What don’t you want to do?” her mother asked.

“Well, I don’t know, but something different from watching TV and movies all day, just going to the park, playing on rides, or going to malls and the beach,” Ziya replied.

Her mother realised that maybe what Ziya wanted to do was something to nourish her soul. So, her mother decided that this summer, Ziya should do something that made her feel happy and worthwhile.

Mother said, “Zozo, come on, get up, get ready and come for breakfast. Then call Mina and invite her over. There is something very interesting I have in mind for you both. I am sure will make your summer vacation a memorable one.”

Not a moment after the words left Ziya’s mother’s mouth, she dashed out of bed and started to get on with what mother had told her to do. Ziya called up her friend Mina and told her to come over because she had some amazing news. Mina, who lived nearby, came over around noon, and the two best friends sat in front of Shifa (Ziya’s mother), jittery with excitement.

Shifa said, “Okay, so girls, I have been thinking that since you two are growing up and becoming such wonderful young ladies, summer vacation should be a little more than just watching TV and going to the park. Ziya said she wants to do something more, and I think if we brainstorm enough, we can understand what that something more means.”

“What does it mean, aunty?” Mina asked.

“Well, I think what that means is doing something for those a little less fortunate than us. Those who cannot have the same kind of fun we can have very easily,” she replied.

Ziya and Mina looked at each other and began chattering amongst themselves very animatedly.

“Okay, so mama, what you’re saying is that we do something that benefits others, not just ourselves, and something that makes lots of people happy, right?” Ziya’s mother replied.

The two young girls started chatting again, and then Ziya said, “Mama, how about we have a summer camp for the children of our maids, drivers, and house help in general!”

Mina chirped in, “We can plan fun activities for them that will help them have fun but also learn something. Some of them go to school, so it is their summer vacation as well. They deserve to enjoy their break and relax too.”

Shifa replied, “Ooh, this is so exciting! We can plan so many amazing things like gardening, doing origami, arts and crafts, and story writing and telling!”

Ziya exclaimed, “We can also have a movie day, a mini-Olympics of sorts, and oh, how about we have a mini bake sale for our neighbourhood?”

Mina said, “We can then divide the profit amongst our campers, so it’ll be like a gift for them because they would have worked so hard.”

Ziya added on, “I was just about to say that!” Mina grinned at Ziya, and the girls high-fived.

Ziya said to her mother, “We’ll ask all of our other friends to participate in organising this too, and we will fund it ourselves as well, but parents are welcome to contribute anything they want in this, of course,” and batted her eyes at her.

“Of course, my darling, we will help you with anything you want. This is a fantastic idea! I am so proud of you both for coming up with this. You will make so many children so happy!” Shifa said, with tears brimming in her eyes.

Ziya and Mina set off with planning their summer camp. They contacted their friends, who agreed wholeheartedly to help, and then all of them spent two weeks coming up with all the details.

They made a banner and wrote “Camp Sunshine — all for one and one for all”. Then they decided upon the following schedule: Week 1: Monday: Gardening day; Tuesday: Origami workshop; Wednesday: Arts and crafts; Thursday: Storytelling day; Friday: Movie Day. Week 2: Monday: Mini-Olympics; Tuesday: Baking workshop; Wednesday: Talent show; Thursday: Field trip to the zoo; Friday: Mini bake sale.

They created a WhatsApp group to communicate with everyone involved, and excitement filled the air as they prepared for a summer of joy, learning and giving back.

Little did they know just how much this camp would impact not only the children attending, but also their own lives. This would be a summer they would cherish forever, one filled with laughter, friendships and the pure joy of making a difference.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 17th, 2023