Day 10
By all accounts, today was a great day. It started with teaching songs and nursery rhymes to the St. George kindergarten group. Everyone enjoyed the manic dancing of the hokey pokey and the funky actions for "Five Little Fish". The children especially had fun playing with the different coloured play-doh, making snakes, spiders, flowers and worms with it. It was over all too soon with a number of sad goodbye hugs, photos, and smiles.
After break we returned to the school to talk to the adolescent girls in classes 6, 7, and 8. Everyone here had different experiences. Some of the girls were less willing to open up and talk to us, while others were very eager to describe their aspirations for the future. All of the girls told us that they were eager to go to university, some to study English and others to study maths or science. There was a general consensus among the girls to leave India and travel to places like the UK, the USA, and Ireland, of course!
This gathering was ended by a number of songs, in Hindi, English, and Irish. The Holy Child girls were enthralled by the beautiful singing and in turn sung a lovely, lively rendition of "Molly Malone". Another round of goodbyes were said and with heavy hearts we reluctantly returned to St. Joseph's.
However, after lunch our spirits immediately soared at the news that two henna artists would be visiting us later that afternoon. We sat in anticipation all afternoon and we were not disappointed. Everyone was amazed at the speed they worked at and in less than two hours everybody had one or two hands completed.
At six thirty we filed into the chapel. Mass was said for us by a priest from Delhi. He spoke to us about the amazing warmth and hospitality that the people of Kolkata had, despite many of them having very little. He reminded us that sometimes a smile is often all that is needed to make someone feel better or feel welcome. We reflected on the support of our families, our teachers, our school community, and of course, the support that we have given each other during our trip.
After mass we ate our delicious traditional Indian food and, need we say it, a game or two of uno!
See y'all soon
Rosa, Sarah O'D, Katie, Leah, Becca xx
By all accounts, today was a great day. It started with teaching songs and nursery rhymes to the St. George kindergarten group. Everyone enjoyed the manic dancing of the hokey pokey and the funky actions for "Five Little Fish". The children especially had fun playing with the different coloured play-doh, making snakes, spiders, flowers and worms with it. It was over all too soon with a number of sad goodbye hugs, photos, and smiles.
After break we returned to the school to talk to the adolescent girls in classes 6, 7, and 8. Everyone here had different experiences. Some of the girls were less willing to open up and talk to us, while others were very eager to describe their aspirations for the future. All of the girls told us that they were eager to go to university, some to study English and others to study maths or science. There was a general consensus among the girls to leave India and travel to places like the UK, the USA, and Ireland, of course!
This gathering was ended by a number of songs, in Hindi, English, and Irish. The Holy Child girls were enthralled by the beautiful singing and in turn sung a lovely, lively rendition of "Molly Malone". Another round of goodbyes were said and with heavy hearts we reluctantly returned to St. Joseph's.
However, after lunch our spirits immediately soared at the news that two henna artists would be visiting us later that afternoon. We sat in anticipation all afternoon and we were not disappointed. Everyone was amazed at the speed they worked at and in less than two hours everybody had one or two hands completed.
At six thirty we filed into the chapel. Mass was said for us by a priest from Delhi. He spoke to us about the amazing warmth and hospitality that the people of Kolkata had, despite many of them having very little. He reminded us that sometimes a smile is often all that is needed to make someone feel better or feel welcome. We reflected on the support of our families, our teachers, our school community, and of course, the support that we have given each other during our trip.
After mass we ate our delicious traditional Indian food and, need we say it, a game or two of uno!
See y'all soon
Rosa, Sarah O'D, Katie, Leah, Becca xx
Lovely account of your day - looking forward to seeing you soon. Emer
ReplyDeleteDelighted you had such a good day today,lovely photos,really enjoyed reading your blog everyday,you have done great work girls!and should all be really proud of yourselfs.Looking forward to seeing you soon.Jackie.xxx
ReplyDeleteAh girls that's great you had such a lovely day as you wind down. I am sure you left the older students hungry for their education and the chance of traveling and seeing the world as you have been so lucky to do. It has been a win win situation for you and your new friends in Kolkata. Enjoy your last day tomorrow. Orla xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a great day and the kids look so happy. Love the pics. Enjoy your last day tomorrow. Hands look great😂 #hopeitwashesoff
ReplyDeleteDear HCK India Group 2017, your time is coming to a close and it has been such a powerful experience for you all. Well done again on the uplifting and inspiring updates; you certainly will have encouraged the TY girls to follow in your footsteps, and huge thanks also to the three wonderful staff who accompanied you every step of the way over these past months. Wishing you all a safe journey home, and a restful weekend. Mrs Moiselle.
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