Penultimate days

Radhika:
If you've been on one of these trips, you'll remember that the last few work days are exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Yesterday we all went back to the school in the morning - finishing off some great pieces o f work - the group working on the link with Columbia Primary have done excellent writing and drawings about themselves, their school and their world. The English teachers at this school were amazed by the quality of the work - I think the children were really motivated because they understood that their work was going to be shared with children in the UK. The group doing "Scrapbooks" about themselves, with the photos from the disposable cameras we gave them, have also produced gorgeous work. They have loved having photos of themselves, their families and their friends, and have done excellent writing to go with them. All the other groups too have been learning songs, games and a fair bit of geography, thanks to the great games the Eston Park group created with maps, animals, cards etc.

In the afternoon we returned to our "production" - which has evolved from Giraffes Cant Dance to Warthogs Cant Dance - over 100 children have been involved in learning a few lines and some incredible dances! We had a run-through yesterday - it was awesome - we've promised to video today's performance and screen it at assemblies, meetings etc.... and put it on Youtube! Katherine has been instrumental in leading this - stunningly.

And then we went to see Sister for a show. I'm going to ask one of the young people to blog about the show - but needless to say we were all very moved by the energy and enthusiasm of the children and of course Sister's speech had everyone gripped. Several people needed tissues during the proceedings.

We got back after 7, tired but everyone so glad of the experience. Today is our last work day - taking cakes, drinks etc for our party and performance .

I said a couple of days ago that we were holding our first Partners Meeting - it was great, really positive - so glad we did it. We had 9 people there (a fair sprinkling of nuns), everyone participated, had some very good discussions and they have agreed to meet three times a year.
Sister said something moving about the seed that was Asha's first endeavours in Athidiya growing into a tree under which so many projects now shelter.

Got a meeting with Mrs V this morning, before going to the school, and one with Barbara and the elders this evening when we get back after our Warthogs show - as happens to me every year, I cant believe we get to do this!

R