Summer report 2006

Benjamin Osei

It is such a blessing to report some of the wonderful things accomplished through the JaneFinch Youth program this summer. Special thanks goes to our numerous supporters who have been fervently praying and contributing financially towards this outreach program.

Description of the Program: The Seeds of Hope Summer Day camp 2006 operated from Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. It ran from July 3 to September 1. The program was directed and supervised by myself and run by four staff. Three of the staff, Jessica Pratezina, David King and David Patrick. There was also one supporting staff member, Roxane Rose who was hired entirely through cooperate donations. Apart from Jessica who declined, the rest of the staff on government grant had their wages topped up from private donations.

There were thirty registered youth. In  addition, several youth came on a short term basis( a period of only a few days or weeks.) Age of the campers ranged from six to fourteen. Youth participated in a wide range of activities and games including basketball, floor hockey, swimming, soccer and other sports, dramatics, music, arts and craft and Bible Study. They were involved in several trips and outings including day trips to Ontario Place, Riverdale farm and a Toronto Argos practice where they got to meet and interact with some of their sports heroes. They also had five days of vacation Bible school though Lisle Memorial Baptist Church. The older kids, seven  years and up, had the opportunity to travel to Camp Kwasind in  Muskoka, Ontario where they spent five nights with their leaders. (Their departure was covered by Rogers TV) Day camp was held at Lisle Memorial Baptist Church, 95 Eddystone Ave.  till August 14^th when it was moved to The Salvation Army at 20 Yorkwoodsgate  

Program Goals

I had several goals in planning and implementing the program.

a. Provide a safe, fun, structured, educational and therapeutic environment where children and youth were supervised in enjoyable, educational/enriching environment .

b. Educate youth on the Bible , Christian behavior and life skills.

c. Initiate and sustain personal relationships with youth so they could be mentored by matured Christian leaders.

d. Provide youth with experiences outside their neighborhood that they would not ordinarily have been able to have due to family and financial constraints.

e. Operate on a therapeutic basis addressing the social, emotional, practical and physical needs of individual youth through personal relationships and behavior management.

Case Examples

Edo, aged twelve, is the oldest son of four children. He along with his mother and siblings immigrated to Canada from Nigeria in November of 2005 after a four year separation from his father who came to Canada to work before bringing his family. Previous to his involvement in Seeds of Hope, Edo was regularly (several times a week) involved in physical and verbal fights in school with other students and teachers, culminating in his verbally assaulting a teacher and running away from school near the end of the 2005/2006 school year.  He was also apprehended by the Police for shop lifting just prior to the beginning of the day camp. Edo was easily provoked to violence, especially while playing basketball. Among youth in the area basketball abilities are highly regarded and influence social standing. Edo had not played the sport before coming to Canada (the Nigerian sport of choice being soccer) and was extremely sensitive to negative comments regarding his abilities which would frequently send him into rage. His family has had extreme difficulty in controlling him. His relationship with his father has also been strained by their long separation. Edo’s negative behavior continued into his time at the camp very much as it was in school. One incident of violence included him punching an eight year old girl in the face for calling him “stupid”.

Isaac, age nine was one of the most challenging and confusing youth. His behavior initially was so violent he needed to be physically restrained almost daily to keep him from hurting himself or other youth. He was unpredictable, verbally and physically assaulting other youth for no apparent reason other than that it gave him pleasure. He refused to listen to instruction and would adamantly pursue his own desires. Little was known about his family situation. His father is not involved in his life and he lived with his mother, sister and intermittently, other family members. He had been in foster care previously, but on what grounds and to what extent was not known. He walked to and from day camp alone and his mother came only once to register him. She did not offer a great deal of information on his behavior, only that she was very troubled by him and didn’t know how to handle him at home. Isaac idealized the gangster persona, sometimes by wearing clothes a certain way or using certain words characteristic of the gangster image. He would often engage in screaming, hitting and crying fights with staff. His attitude and confusion can be summarized by a particular incident with Jessica when he needed to be restrained from harming another youth during a soccer match. As she pulled him away from the incident, he fought back and screamed “Do whatever you want to me! I don’t care! You can shoot me and I won’t die!” 

While little was known about the underlying causes of Isaac’s problems, it was very clear we were working with a very troubled boy in need more help than what could be provided at the day camp.

Steps Taken

Extra care had to be taken with these two youth in an attempt to modify their behavior and attitude.

1. A clear stance was taken by leaders that violence was unacceptable. Consistency became very important. It was important for them to feel leaders would be just in consequencing bad behavior and rewarding positive behavior.

2.  Misbehavior was met by an immediate consequence such as loss of privileges or suspension.

3. Positive behavior was immediately praised or rewarded. Small steps, such as reporting a displeasing occurrence  rather than harming someone who offended them, were always noted and praised.

4. Leaders developed strong relationships with both boys so they felt safe and respected. I would take time to tell them the positive changes I was seeing in them and encourage them. I also periodically called their parents to inform them of good behavior that I had noticed. This was particularly helpful to the parents who had never received calls to hear good news about their son’s behavior.

5. Ample opportunities were provided for them to contribute in a way to the camp. They were allowed to do extra chores and other tasks that made them feel like a helpful and appreciated member. This was particularly important in building their self esteem.     

Over his two months at the camp Edo’s behavior has changed dramatically. Where as his violent behavior may have required intervention from the staff around three times a week initially, It was all a but a non –issue by the middle of August. He did occasionally exchange in verbal back- and- forth with peers, but physical force was no longer a concern in this setting by the end. Instead, he became almost a model for the other children and could be trusted to pay attention and follow instructions the majority of the time. His sulky, negative attitude had also changed markedly. He generally participated in activities happily and with great gusto made many friends among his peers.

Isaac’s problems seemed much more pervasive and deep seated than Edo’s. Still I was surprised by his improvement over the two months of camp. By August, Isaac rarely needed to be restrained whereas it was required almost daily in the beginning. His relationship with the leaders has helped him feel confident in bringing up concerns and talking openly. As he began to trust the leaders.  Like Edo, it became easier for him to report when a peer was being unfair rather than simply use physical force against him. He too, began to participate in games and activities with much joy as he began to get a sense of the programs expectations.

I believe both children benefited greatly from the environment of consistency the camp provided and by having leaders they could know and trust to act rightly. Children and youth suffer when their world is unpredictable and when it is, their behavior will reflect the chaos they see around them. Knowing that they were in a place where their concerns and problems would be dealt with fairly and predictably by leaders who genuinely cared for them and were not “out to get them” has had a great impact on their outlook on life and on their view of themselves as a contributing member of the camp and the greater society. They have been some of the greatest successes of Seeds of Hope.

CLOSING REMARKS

Seeds of Hope has been a wonderful experience for me personally. I have loved getting to know the youth and working with them on a daily basis. Their inner strength and potential is outstanding and I truly believe each one of them  can be successful. There is a great need among this group and in this area for leaders and mentors who do not flit in and out of their lives, but remain constant role models in the community.

 As much as Seeds of Hope has tried to draw youth in with basketball, trips and fun activities, we have also realized the importance of helping to fill their spiritual void. The knowledge we provided them with and the answers to tough questions that have been haunting many of them are the things that I am most proud to have accomplished. I feel many of them, not least the two I have previously mentioned, have grown and matured by leaps and bounds. I hope and pray that now that the summer is over, they will find good churches  where  these seeds that have been planted in their lives can be nurtured.

Ben's Story

January 2004 was an eventful month for Ben Oesi, Friendship Community, the Youth Program and the Supporting Churches.  The media and the country took to Ben and his story and many heard of the work of Ben and Friendship Community Church.  The Classis Toronto Web Page kept an update on what was happening during this time. 

Friday, January 9, 2004:

For awhile now Ben Osei has been working with the Youth program at Friendship Community CRC. He has done wonderful work in the Jane/Finch community and is sought out by many parents and teens for advice and help. He is from Africa and recently his application to stay in Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds has been turned down. He is scheduled to be deported next week. This would be tough on Ben as well as put the youth program at Friendship Community in jeopardy. Friendship Community and other churches involved with the community youth program are actively advocating for a change in Immigration Canada's decision. The Globe and Mail has reported on this story and 100 Huntley is sending a crew to interview Ben and the kids. Please pray that the decision will be changed and Ben will be allowed to continue making a difference in the Jane/Finch community.  You can also contact your Federal MP to state your opinion.  

Friday January 16, 2004: 100 Huntley Street reported on Ben's story on January 15, 2004.  You can watch the program on their web site: http://www.crossroads.ca/broadcas/program.htm

Tuesday January 20, 2004:

By now some of you will be aware that the Minister of Immigration made a statement this afternoon in Vancouver, essentially saying that everyone must come into Canada through the front door. Some have interpreted that to mean that the door to Benjamin is closed. In fact, there has never been an effort to have Benjamin come in any other way than through the front door. Not in the past, not today, not in the future.

The "front door," which all of us connected with Benjamin recognize and respect (none of us more than Benjamin himself), is somewhat broad. Under immigration legislation there is a high degree of discretion that can be exercised by several parts of the system, not the least of which is the Minister. To exercise that discretion is not "coming in through the back door"; it is coming in through the front door. The request to the Minister on behalf of Benjamin is simply that a way be found to enable Benjamin to continue the incredible work he has been doing with youth in the Jane-Finch area. No one should be fooled into thinking that Benjamin or those working with him are trying to somehow go around the system.

It has been an event-filled day. I'll cover that a little further on.

One would expect that Benjamin by now would be discouraged and depressed. I picked him up at his apartment shortly after word of the Minister's statement had come to us, and I was somewhat concerned about his emotional well-being. I needn't have been concerned. When he got in the car I asked him how he was doing. He looked at me and broke into that famous "Benjamin grin" and said, "I feel like the son of a Great King!" Then he went on to explain.

He said, "Since the Minister's statement, I've done three telephone interviews. Global TV is coming to my apartment at 6:00 p.m. to do another part of the story. Tomorrow morning CBC is sending a taxi to pick me up at 5:15 a.m. so I can be on Metro Morning. When I finish that, CBC TV wants to start shooting a documentary on me. I feel like the son of a Great King!" His laughter is so contagious!

He can't believe the support and interest for and in him. Neither can anybody else. CBC TV only this morning was not interested in covering what they called "a one person story." By this afternoon when they requested Benjamin's cooperation with the documentary, they said that they have never seen a story like this.

The Toronto Star is doing another story on it. Tomorrow night at the Celebration (I expect to see any of you who live in or around Toronto there!), CBC and 100 Huntley Street will have film crews. Global TV has run two stories, and they are working on a third. God is being glorified in the secular media in ways that to humans seem impossible.

And that's really the point. God is being glorified. And people are seeing that in a world where American Idol is the hottest TV program, one ordinary individual who has given himself completely to the Lord to be used any way the Lord wants, can not only make a difference in the lives of 200 kids (and still counting) - he can get an entire nation to look at itself. We don't know what tomorrow will bring - but it's an incredible experience to be part of the wonderful manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and of God's powerful working in the national political process, the media, and ordinary individuals who previously never would have imagined themselves emailing or phoning a Cabinet Minister. God is so good, and to Him be all the honour and glory!

Now, about today. Benjamin was front page on the Toronto Star, with a great picture of some of the youth with him. He was also front page of the City Section, with a well-written, factual story by Leslie Scrivener. He was on page 16 of the Toronto Sun, with another great photo of a number of the youth with him, and another well-written, factual story by Thane Burnett. His was the lead story on Global News at 5:30 this afternoon. CFRB 1010 devoted 30 minutes to his story this morning, with a 7-minute live interview and numerous callers, all of them supporting him staying in the country. York radio is picking up the story. 100 Huntley Street led off this morning with reference to the Toronto Star story - you can catch the program tonight on CTS at 9:00 p.m.. 

The list goes on and on, and I have probably forgotten some.

So the story of Benjamin in Canada is not finished. Friday is not yet here, and the plane has not yet departed, and there remains discretion that is available in bringing someone in through the front door.

A few nights ago, the Lord reminded me of the story of Moses and Pharaoh, and told me to read it again. I have, several times since then. I was surprised to find that Moses appeared before Pharaoh a total of 15 times before the Israelites were released from Egypt. (You can count them yourself - starting at Exodus chapter 5 through chapter 12.) 15 times! We're not even close to that yet in our efforts to get the government to change its mind with respect to Benjamin. Perhaps the fact that we're not asking to take a whole people out of a country, but asking simply that a way be found to keep one person in the country, may mean we won't have to reach that count of 15. But if we have to, we have to - and we will! And to God be all the praise and the glory!

by Fred Witteveen

Wednesday January 21: Toronto Sun has an article in their January 20, 2004; see link:

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/01/20/318512.html

Saturday January 24, 2004:  Ben was not allowed on the plane for security reasons on Friday, January 23, and is waiting for more word on his situation.  He is still supposed to be deported but they do not know when.  For more on the story see: (article no longer available from The Toronto Star). 

Friday January 30, 2004: Ben left for Ghana on January 28, 2004.  Please pray for his safety, for his family and for a speedy return.  For more of the story see, (article no longer avaliable from the Toronto Star)

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/01/29/328519.html

June 1, 2004:

The Minister of Immigration has gone public with her support for Ben. She is personally monitoring his application for permanent residency.

She has promised to meet him and his family at the airport. Friendship Community and their partners are now waiting for the medicals and police clearance. 

October 1, 2004:

Dear Friends,

We had been hoping to be able to tell you by now that every hurdle has been overcome and Benjamin is cleared to return to Canada - but one hurdle yet remains. We are just waiting for final word from Ghana that approval has been given for Benjamin and his family to come. As Fred Witteveen describes it, it's like being in an airplane that has arrived above the destination airport, but it isn't allowed to land yet. So we wait ... And pray.

I want to update you on progress related to their arrival in Toronto. 

1) Thanks to the generosity of so many people, we have almost enough furniture for their apartment. We just need three dressers - the rest has been donated and is currently in storage.

2) The Gift Registry is still open at the Bay stores across Canada, and the list of items still on it is getting very short. If you want to check it out, just go to any Bay store in Canada, and ask for the Registry under the name of Cindy Anthony - Special Occasions. The registry number is 04296372. If you see an item you would like to purchase just ask the store to ship it to the Yorkdale Mall in Toronto. They will be delivered from there.

3) We are in discussions with an apartment building to secure a place to live once final approval is given for their arrival.

4) If approval is given in the next couple of weeks we believe we have enough money in the Ben Fund to cover air line tickets and incidental expenses related to their travel. Any funds that are left over in that fund will be given to Benjamin and his family to assist them with their first few days here. If there is a significant further delay in their return, however, we will have to use a part of the fund to assist with their living costs in Ghana as their money is running out. We are seeking guidance as to whether Benjamin should take a job to meet their expenses there, with all of the implications of that for their return here.

5) There are funds in another account specifically for Benjamin's ministry here in Toronto. Once final approval has been given for his return, that money will be transferred to Youth Unlimited (Youth for Christ), the ministry that will be re-employing him here. As is customary for staff of Youth for Christ, Benjamin will need to raise his ongoing financial support.

From a practical and logistical point of view, everything has been done that can be done pending the final word of approval.

However, there is "one thing more" that I am asking you to do. In an email from Benjamin this morning, he has indicated that "I am going to enter into a week of prayer and fasting starting from Monday to seek direction from the Lord." The direction he is seeking relates to the question of short-term employment in Ghana; wisdom in preparing for their arrival in Canada; quick final approval for them to come; strength for the physical demands and spiritual battles that he and his family will face when they are here; protection for him and his family; and God's hand of blessing and direction upon the Jane-Finch community.

Would you consider joining Benjamin in his prayers, and if you feel led to participate in his fast I would encourage you to do that as well.

Thank you for your continuing interest, your support, your encouragement - and your prayers!

Let me assure you that you will be advised within minutes of us receiving word on the final approval for their coming to Canada.

God bless!

Mel
(on behalf of "the tribe of Benjamin")

Mel Finlay
Pastor
"The Church at the Centre"
Fallingbrook Heights Baptist Church

October 19, 2004

Finally we have the news that we have been praying for!

We have just received word today that everything has now been approved for Ben to return to Canada with his family. A letter has been mailed to him asking him to come into the Accra office with passports and pictures. At that time Ben and his family will be issues their visas.

October 20, 2004

Everyone,

We just received the following email from Ghana:

Hi Pastor Fred,

This is to inform you that we have been given the final documents by the Accra Visa office for the Immigrant Visa to be issued. All things being equal, we hope to be granted the visa by the end of October. I also received a call from two members of the Ghana community in Toronto promising to send us money by the end of the month. In the light of these developments, it may not be necessary for you to send us money as you pledged. God works in amazing ways.  I can now speculate without hesitation that we will be in Toronto during the last week of November. That is anytime from the 20th to 30th of Nov. 2004.

I was called to pick up the letter yesterday from the Accra Visa Office. That decision has in fact saved us one month. As you know, the documents for the medicals and the police Check took more than a month

to arrive when it was mailed to us. All these is an answer to prayer.

All praise and thanks and glory be to the Lord who has brought us

this far. Amen.

October 25, 2004

Hi everyone,

Today we received messages from the Ben and Ministry officials that the visas have been formally issues to the family. According to Ben the woman who gave them the visas was quite emotional about it. I have already forwarded our thanks to everyone on the the Department staff for all the work they put into this case.

We are now working on airline tickets. As soon as we have a departure date we can plan the reception. We will keep you posted.

The Minister's staff have informed us of the most desirable times for the Minister to be at the airport.

Fred

November 9, 2004

Friendship Community Church

1290 Finch Ave W., Unit 19, North York, Ontario M9N 1N6

Dear Friends,

We have now completed final arrangements for Benjamin and his family to come to Canada as landed immigrants.

All the requirements of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to grant landed immigrant status have been complied with, including repayment of the costs of his flight back to Ghana in January of this year when he was deported. 

Benjamin and his family will be arriving in Toronto on Friday, November 26th.  A community celebration is being planned, and I will forward details when they are available.

Thanks to your generosity, and that of so many other people, accommodation has been arranged, almost all of the required furniture and other items have been made available, and a donation of money will be made to the family upon their arrival to assist with the initial settling in.  Once they are here in Canada, The Ben Fund will be closed.  There will be full accounting for all

of the donations made to The Ben Fund after the final disbursements have been made.  The Fund has been handled through Friendship Community Church.

As you know, Benjamin will be employed by Youth Unlimited (Toronto Youth for Christ), to resume and carry forward the work that he began in the Jane-Finch community before his departure. He is subject to the same employment requirements that must be met by all Youth for Christ staff – he must raise his own continuing support.  If you wish to support his ministry

in any way donations can be sent to

Youth Unlimited

Toronto Youth for Christ

50 Gervais Drive

Suite 302,

Toronto, Ontario 

M3C 1Z3

Mark your donation "For Benjamin Osei".

All of us around Benjamin (dubbed by my wife Susan as "the tribe of Benjamin"), as well as Benjamin and his family, thank you for your prayers, your support and encouragement, and your interest in the Jane-Finch community.

We need your continuing prayers to ensure that there are no last-minute road blocks that delay their arrival.

God bless!

Mel

Pastor

"The Church at the Centre"

Fallingbrook Heights Baptist Church

Fred

Pastor

Friendship Community Church  

Community Celebration

Welcome Back Party 

for Benjamin Osei

Friday, November 26, 2004

at 7 p.m.

at

Driftwood Community Center

4401 Jane Street

(Corner of Driftwood and Jane, Three lights north of Jane and Finch)

Event Sponsored by:

Agape Ministries

Friendship Community Church

Lisle Memorial Baptist

Yorkwoods Community Church

The Community Celebration was a wonderful chance to welcome back Ben and his family who are now getting settled into their lives here in Canada.  Continue to pray for them as they struggle to make the adjustments.  Pray also for the youth program.  For as Ben said in his speech on November 26: "This is just the beginning!"  Click here to see the photo album from the evening at Driftwood Community Centre.