Breaking down barriers

'I dance to help others and dance for God.' 'I used to break-dance and it was all about me. Now I have purpose. I dance to help others and I dance for God.'

A group of young Christians in central Asia has created the perfect dance mix for turning despair on its head and giving hope to young people. Fragile economies, civil war and natural disasters have left many people in central Asia in poverty. Unable to access good education and healthcare, many youngsters feel hopeless and turn to self-destructive activities, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

A new beat

Founded ten years ago, CMS partner Youth Life gives young people at risk a chance to rise above their circumstances. Through break-dance clubs and youth activities, they build relationships and help heal the wounds of brokenness and addiction. The healing process treats physical symptoms and addresses the root causes: breakdown of family relationships, rejection, low self-esteem and alienation from society.

Currently, more than 6,000 young people and their families have received physical, social, career and spiritual support from Youth Life. Each week, 1,500 young people participate in youth clubs, where programmes varying from education to break-dance seminars give them a chance to build relationships and avoid the distractions of the streets.

A future and a hope

The key to their success is the fact that Youth Life leaders have all 'been there'. Many staff and volunteers are former addicts who have undergone rehabilitation themselves.

They, in turn, are able to share the hope of Jesus in an empathetic, loving way. At the age of 11, Grisha* was living on the streets, after his parents' divorce and the death of his mother. While living in an orphanage, he started attending a youth club run by Youth Life.

He quickly became a volunteer, then a youth leader. Today he runs a club called Amazon, attended by 35 young people, and heads up a 'New Life' break-dance team. Last year he graduated from university as a qualified English teacher.

CMS is working to transform lives and communities in 60 countries by sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways. Your gifts to the Poverty and Hope appeal can help Youth Life heal broken lives. Grisha asks for prayer: He is dependent on his grandmother who is dying from a condition that would easily be treatable in the UK.

*Names have been changed for security reasons.
 
 

Breaking down barriers
'I used to break-dance
and it was all about me.
Now I have purpose.
I dance to help others
and I dance for God.'

CMS partner Youth Life has created the perfect dance mix for turning despair on its head and giving hope to youth in central Asia.

Former addicts are building relationships through breakdance clubs. Healing the wounds of brokenness and addiction means addressing the root causes - breakdown of family relationships, rejection, low self-esteem and alienation from society

For further information about CMS please contact:
Gaenor Hall
Church Relations Team
CMS,
Watlington Road
Oxford
OX4 6BZ

01865 787520 gaenor.hall@cms-uk.org
www.cms-uk.org