“For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Quran 94:5-6)
The second half of the course is harder. Legs are heavy, clothes are cold and the obstacles keep coming. This part asks the mums to lean on each other as their own energy runs low.
| When | Where | The heart of it |
|---|---|---|
| 1:15pm to 2:45pm | The assault course | Harder obstacles, tired legs, leaning on each other |
What this part asks
The mums have eaten a little and prayed. The temptation is to think the challenge is nearly over. It is not.
The venue’s course might include:
- a tyre carry up a hill, echoing the weight of essential possessions on difficult ground;
- a cargo net and log crawl, which need teamwork and mutual support;
- a stream to follow, cold and uneven underfoot;
- long, repeated climbs, which test endurance more than skill.
The difficulty is the accumulation. No single obstacle is the worst. It is the weight of everything that has come before.
Leaning on each other
As energy runs out, the group depends more on itself. Mums who were strong in the morning may flag, and others take their turn at the front.
Guides can notice this and say so. Let the mums find solutions together when an obstacle needs group coordination. Encourage honestly, and do not rescue.
The hill
The hill is often the hardest moment of the day. Many refugees describe a point on their journey when they did not think they could take another step, and the only thing that kept them moving was the people beside them.
Watch for that moment here. Meet it honestly. Where does a person find what she needs to keep going?
Safety note. Fatigue is the main hazard in the afternoon. Instructors check obstacles again, and avoid high or committing obstacles when a group is exhausted. Offer water at every pause, and watch for the signs of cold. If the weather turns unsafe, the venue stops the course and the group moves to shelter.
Reflection questions
- When did you want to stop? What stopped you?
- What did someone else do for you that you will not forget?
- Where do you find strength when you have none left?
The hardest obstacle of all is next, and it is water.