Diwali – Festival of
Light, a major Hindu festival. It’s not celebrated much up here in the nort-east
in comparison with the lower areas of India. But it is a general holiday here
with all schools etc closed. Oddly enough, St Edmunds College (Third Level)
remains open. It’s the only one doing so in Shillong. Don;t know the
reason.
We followed the normal early morning
timetable –up at 7, breakfast at 7.30 and up to Providence for
8.30.
Providence is closed for classes
today (Diwali) but during the weekend we developed the idea of organising a
Games day for Class 6, 7 and 8. They ran the proposed events by Br Steve
checking that they were appropriate for the group (boys and girls) and their
physique. The day was to run from 9 till 3. We don’t deal with these classes
during the teaching so today was an opportunity to complete the bond with the total Providence
family
At 8.30 the little equipment needed was
brought to the Providence field and goals were erected for the opening event – a
match between the Abbey (+4 on loan from Providence ) and the Providence Premier
team. David Q acted as referee complete with a full set of yellow and red cards.
The match was preceded by a line up of both teams and the singing of both
national anthems. Some of the Providence team played in bare feet or in
flip-flops on ground that would hardly be sanctioned by FIFA. A high standard by
both teams. It ended 0-0 although the Abbey had 2 golden opportunities. The
girls match followed ending in a 1-0 victory for Brisilla’s
team.
Games events then started. The
lads organised a Whirlwind Relay
Race – a favourite in Abbey Sports day. Then a relay sprint between 4 teams
from the 40 or so present. Everyone keen to participate. Participation and
enjoyment was the important thing, not finals or winning. The all enjoyed the Balloon Race and the Tunnel
Race (passing the ball all the way back between the legs). Water was in
demand owing to the exertion and the strong sun blazing down from the clear
sky.
Lunch time was a welcome break and a
leisurely affair, necessary after a busy morning.
Games resumed at 1 pm and
throughout the afternoon our lads joined in more and more in the games –their
own wish and the definite wish of the Providence crowd. The connecting and
bonding was evident. The Balancing
Act created such a good feel that we did it a few times. Snatch
the Bacon tested the reactions of all and all in a great sense of fun
followed by Green Light / Red Light.
The level of laughter and entertainment and joy had rise so much since
proceedings started at 9.00. Now the crowd drifted to the near end of the field
for the Penalty Shoot-Out. The four teams adopted an Abbey Sir
and eventually Sam Noonan’s team
was victorious scoring in the narrow goal –width determined by the length of the
bamboo crossbar. Boys and girls participated in trying to put that ball past
Cormac.
The afternoon’s activities finished with
the necessary penalties to decide the victors in this morning’s match. David Q
stood in the narrow goal and performed well. Abbey finally won
4-2.
Most were exhausted at this stage but so
happy with the day. The organisation of the Games Day had gone according to the
general plan worked out over 2 evenings although changes had to be made as time
passed.
Class 6,7,8 were so genuine in
expressing their gratitude to each and every one of the
Sirs. Not a day of teaching, but equally exhausting and in keeping with
the purpose of the project.
Our normal evening programme commenced
at 5.15 including preparing lesson plans for tomorrow. We want to make sure that
the kids really know those areas that Providence asked us to
cover.
Before dinner we joined the young
Brothers from the Schol on the roof for Diwali fireworks and bangers. The sky
around is continually being lit up; fireworks and bangers will continue right
through the night. And the north-east is cool on Diwali! What must it be like
where its taken seriously?
Dinner at 7.30 and then rest to prepare
for the final few days.
Light, a major Hindu festival. It’s not celebrated much up here in the nort-east
in comparison with the lower areas of India. But it is a general holiday here
with all schools etc closed. Oddly enough, St Edmunds College (Third Level)
remains open. It’s the only one doing so in Shillong. Don;t know the
reason.
We followed the normal early morning
timetable –up at 7, breakfast at 7.30 and up to Providence for
8.30.
Providence is closed for classes
today (Diwali) but during the weekend we developed the idea of organising a
Games day for Class 6, 7 and 8. They ran the proposed events by Br Steve
checking that they were appropriate for the group (boys and girls) and their
physique. The day was to run from 9 till 3. We don’t deal with these classes
during the teaching so today was an opportunity to complete the bond with the total Providence
family
At 8.30 the little equipment needed was
brought to the Providence field and goals were erected for the opening event – a
match between the Abbey (+4 on loan from Providence ) and the Providence Premier
team. David Q acted as referee complete with a full set of yellow and red cards.
The match was preceded by a line up of both teams and the singing of both
national anthems. Some of the Providence team played in bare feet or in
flip-flops on ground that would hardly be sanctioned by FIFA. A high standard by
both teams. It ended 0-0 although the Abbey had 2 golden opportunities. The
girls match followed ending in a 1-0 victory for Brisilla’s
team.
Games events then started. The
lads organised a Whirlwind Relay
Race – a favourite in Abbey Sports day. Then a relay sprint between 4 teams
from the 40 or so present. Everyone keen to participate. Participation and
enjoyment was the important thing, not finals or winning. The all enjoyed the Balloon Race and the Tunnel
Race (passing the ball all the way back between the legs). Water was in
demand owing to the exertion and the strong sun blazing down from the clear
sky.
Lunch time was a welcome break and a
leisurely affair, necessary after a busy morning.
Games resumed at 1 pm and
throughout the afternoon our lads joined in more and more in the games –their
own wish and the definite wish of the Providence crowd. The connecting and
bonding was evident. The Balancing
Act created such a good feel that we did it a few times. Snatch
the Bacon tested the reactions of all and all in a great sense of fun
followed by Green Light / Red Light.
The level of laughter and entertainment and joy had rise so much since
proceedings started at 9.00. Now the crowd drifted to the near end of the field
for the Penalty Shoot-Out. The four teams adopted an Abbey Sir
and eventually Sam Noonan’s team
was victorious scoring in the narrow goal –width determined by the length of the
bamboo crossbar. Boys and girls participated in trying to put that ball past
Cormac.
The afternoon’s activities finished with
the necessary penalties to decide the victors in this morning’s match. David Q
stood in the narrow goal and performed well. Abbey finally won
4-2.
Most were exhausted at this stage but so
happy with the day. The organisation of the Games Day had gone according to the
general plan worked out over 2 evenings although changes had to be made as time
passed.
Class 6,7,8 were so genuine in
expressing their gratitude to each and every one of the
Sirs. Not a day of teaching, but equally exhausting and in keeping with
the purpose of the project.
Our normal evening programme commenced
at 5.15 including preparing lesson plans for tomorrow. We want to make sure that
the kids really know those areas that Providence asked us to
cover.
Before dinner we joined the young
Brothers from the Schol on the roof for Diwali fireworks and bangers. The sky
around is continually being lit up; fireworks and bangers will continue right
through the night. And the north-east is cool on Diwali! What must it be like
where its taken seriously?
Dinner at 7.30 and then rest to prepare
for the final few days.
RSS Feed