"Bearing Witness Through the Service of Charity is How We Can Lift the World out of a Rut"

The goal of last week's training camp in the town of Balatonakali, organized for group leaders and volunteer coordinators of Caritas Hungary (CH), was to build spirituality, professionalism, and community. Richárd Zagyva, deputy director of CH, provides a personal account of the occasion.

The Balatonakali Caritas Camp, located in a picturesque setting only minutes away from Lake Balaton is a place of fun and joy for children all throughout the summer. Last week, however, the camp briefly paused its series of summer camps to host special guests: fifty Caritas volunteers  from all around the country. As has become an annual tradition, Caritas Hungary has once again organized a weeklong training camp for a handful of volunteers actively participating in the activities of their parish Caritas groups, so that they would be able to pass on the knowledge gained here to their peers. This was the 14th occasion such a camp was held, allowing hundreds of volunteers to gain valuable knowledge and eventually shape the work of more than 800 Caritas groups across Hungary.

However, this camp was not just about imparting knowledge; it was also about building community, experiencing deeper spirituality, and understanding the true essence of volunteerism. Throughout the week, the volunteers participated in numerous presentations, group discussions, and situational exercises. The presentations focused on the spirituality and operation of Caritas, where participants gained thorough knowledge about the organization's eight main areas of activity.

Topics included providing support to families in need, the elderly and sick, people with disabilities, the homeless, addicts, disadvantaged minorities, refugees, as well as providing assistance in disaster scenarios. Moreover, the presentations also touched on other aspects of service, such as fundraising, project development, group dynamics, leadership tasks, and networking with regional partners. All activites were carried out with a major goal in mind: strenghtening the spirituality that underpins caritas-work. Most of the speakers were national leaders, experts, and directors of diocesan Caritas organizations.

Through situational exercises, participants had the chance to test themselves in real-life situations, preparing for future challenges. Tasks included approaching a priest or a local entrepreneur for support, announcing an event on a poster, recruiting young volunteers, planning a fictitious event for the elderly, and even organizing a charity ball.

Throughout the programs, the sense of community became increasingly important, as participants formed deeper connections with each other. One diocesan director present at the camp, Márta Feketéné Szabó, remarked that she wished she could photograph the participants on the first and last day of the camp, as the change was so striking—many arrived with worries, questions, and anxieties, but returned to their communities carefree; intellectually and emotionally recharged.

Participating volunteers were not only strengthened by each other but also by the power of the community, often repeating the sentiment: "We can do a lot alone, but together, we can achieve miracles." The feeling of togetherness was deepened by evening community activities and joint prayers. One of the highlights of the camp was the closing mass, conducted by the Most Rev. Antal Spányi, Bishop and President of Caritas Hungary. The bishop's words particularly touched the attendees when he spoke about the importance of volunteerism and love for one's neighbor, emphasizing that such encounters can renew and strengthen commitment and a sense of mission.

"It is not only our opportunity, but also our mission to bear witness to Christ. For us, this means bearing witness to 'caritas', carried out in our own communities. Every word can be twisted, but when someone does something good for others in an organic, selfless way, the world is powerless against it. It is the type of witness that is authentic and capable of moving the world forward; of lifting it out of the rut. However, to bear witness to Christ like this, it is important to be close to Him, to offer our lives to Him daily, to live in Him and build His kingdom."

Participants felt that they were not just attending an event, but were part of a living, breathing community where faith, love, and action formed a close unity. The experiences and insights gained here provided inner strength for the volunteers, through which they would be able to continue spreading the light of love and service in their own communities.

As the waves of Lake Balaton gently sway along the shore, so too will the memory of the camp live on in the hearts of all those who participated. This camp was not just a regular week, but a new beginning where the true spirit of volunteerism met the power of faith and community - just as the service of charity is not merely an act of benevolence, it is our mission.

Richárd Zagyva
deputy director, Caritas Hungary