Many of these children who are all girls come from villages and are very Happy children. They love to sing and dance as well as go to this very nice school.

When I arrived at the hall , all the children had formed 2 long lines to the entrance to the Hostel hall and were clapping their hands and singing, leaving room for the Sisters and myself to walk in the middle of the girls. At the head of the lines are young girls playing big drums.

 

As I start walking forward the kids are all smiling while singing and giving me hi 5’s .The Sisters now follow me through the long line of children. As we pass the girls with the drums they join us from behind and then each student follows. It was like a Happy parade walking to the entrance of the hostel hall with the Sisters and myself being first.

 

Once in the large hall the children sit bunched together on the floor. With the girls playing the drums seated at the front of the room.

 

I was honestly taken back by the warm welcome that I received. I felt like a special VIP and I was only, little old Ray OBrien from Boston, USA

When everyone was seated and the room was quiet. One girl got up and spoke directly to me as a representative from the hostel students and told me how special it was to have me visit their school and hostel for so many years and that the hostel girls wanted to put on a little program for me tonight. When the young girl finished her nice speech I was given a nice bouquet of flowers and all the kids gave me a nice round of applause.

 

It was then that some of the students of the hostel came to the front of the room right in front of the Sisters and myself and performed special dances for everyone in the hall to see. The children were all dressed up to be very pretty.

 

The show went on for about 25 to 30 minutes and I enjoyed it very much.

 

After the dancing was over I took the microphone and stood in front of all the children and gave them a little talk about school and life.

 

I asked them if school was hard for them and many said yes through Sister Sneha interpreting for me.

 

I said to all of the children that it is good. School is hard. Do you know why?

 

Life can be very hard and you have to know how to find your way through this crazy world when your schooling is over.

 

A good school teaches you the proper skills to deal with the many problems life may bring to you in the future. That’s why it is important to go to school everyday and learn all you can.

 

After my talk it was time to eat dinner and what was good about the meal was that chicken was a part of it along with rice and curry with sweets afterwards. It was all sponsored by all of you back home.

 

I always enjoy my time visiting this these hostel girls. After being with the children for a few hours I always feel happy seeing their big bright smiles and how respectful the children are to everyone. In short, the girls make me proud and they give me hope for the world all of us live in.

 

I walked around and said goodbye to everyone as the night came to an end and EVERYONE said Thank You Uncle……

 

Ray O