Yesterday, what a day it turned out to be. Birthdays all around.
The day started out as usual though arriving at APSA not one person to whom I normally visited was present. I was advised that each would be in the afternoon. So, with this knowledge, I did what I could on my 'projects' then sat and read my book in the sun.
After lunch, I noticed they were setting up tables and tinsel and decided to ask what it was all about. Well, it turned out that Friday was the Birthday day. What is Birthday day?
AS it turns out, most of the children who come to APSA do not know their own birth dates. It was decided a long time past that to give all the kids a chance to be given a birthday that one day at the end of the month would be a birthday for a group of kids. The kids are called up from the crowd of hundreds of their fellow students, friends and get to have the photo taken and blow the candles out on the big cake.
Additionally, yesterday, a local group of business people from COLT Technology visited the centre and provided all the people attending with additional pieces of cake and samosas! They enjoyed being there as much as everyone else.
And, what made it all the more impressive, the kids do performances for all! It was amazing to watch! These kids design their own outfits, help make them, and do their own choreography and use the opportunity to have a huge group to watch them. They were all fantastic to watch! These kids started out with so little and to see them be a star on stage is great. And all their friends and students cheer them on as do the teachers.
The entire event took around two hours though was worth every minute. I too was called on stage to be in some photos though felt that I should not be in the spotlight as I was just there to observe, but hey, never one to turn down some attention. ;-)
I have since told a few others which we have met about it and must check to see whether I can bring other people to watch. Others would love it just as much.
It is weekend here and Rein and I are again going to take it easy. We are tentatively booked for a weekend to Weynard in Kerala next weekend which should be great.
Oh too, I have a new fear here in India. It is the fear my Auto-Rickshaw will swerve too fast and my head be pierced on one of the many sharp bolts sticking out. Really, I can see it happen already!
The day started out as usual though arriving at APSA not one person to whom I normally visited was present. I was advised that each would be in the afternoon. So, with this knowledge, I did what I could on my 'projects' then sat and read my book in the sun.
After lunch, I noticed they were setting up tables and tinsel and decided to ask what it was all about. Well, it turned out that Friday was the Birthday day. What is Birthday day?
AS it turns out, most of the children who come to APSA do not know their own birth dates. It was decided a long time past that to give all the kids a chance to be given a birthday that one day at the end of the month would be a birthday for a group of kids. The kids are called up from the crowd of hundreds of their fellow students, friends and get to have the photo taken and blow the candles out on the big cake.
Additionally, yesterday, a local group of business people from COLT Technology visited the centre and provided all the people attending with additional pieces of cake and samosas! They enjoyed being there as much as everyone else.
And, what made it all the more impressive, the kids do performances for all! It was amazing to watch! These kids design their own outfits, help make them, and do their own choreography and use the opportunity to have a huge group to watch them. They were all fantastic to watch! These kids started out with so little and to see them be a star on stage is great. And all their friends and students cheer them on as do the teachers.
The entire event took around two hours though was worth every minute. I too was called on stage to be in some photos though felt that I should not be in the spotlight as I was just there to observe, but hey, never one to turn down some attention. ;-)
I have since told a few others which we have met about it and must check to see whether I can bring other people to watch. Others would love it just as much.
It is weekend here and Rein and I are again going to take it easy. We are tentatively booked for a weekend to Weynard in Kerala next weekend which should be great.
Oh too, I have a new fear here in India. It is the fear my Auto-Rickshaw will swerve too fast and my head be pierced on one of the many sharp bolts sticking out. Really, I can see it happen already!
heartwarming.
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