In the mess tent in Auadkhara, the camp site above Lake Ritsa in Abkhazia, children displayed the different types of arts and crafts they taught each other over the 12 days they camped together.

Alexei, a 26-year-old Abkhaz volunteer from Sokhumi, is the camp’s physical instructor who leads the children in morning exercises. He’s been volunteering at the Sokhumi Youth house and at the camps for the last four years.

“The clubs and camps really work for our children; they get to learn new skills, gain new experiences and new friendships. In my childhood, children were more tense psychologically and it was difficult to make friends. It’s easier now, and these kids are more open and want to make friends. These joint events make them feel at ease with each other,” he said.

Thirty-seven youth from eight regions across Abkhazia recently came together for World Vision’s 4th Annual Peacebuilding Summer Camp high up in the Caucasus mountains. Representing varied ethnic groups they lived 12 days in a microcosm of respect, humanity, and camaraderie, full of new experiences, idea exchange, and an appreciation for each other and the nature that surrounded them. For most, if not all of these children, these are the only times they are able to interact so closely with their peers from all corners of Abkhazia. Photos and text by Dwayne Mamo, World Vision Georgia Communications Manager