Thursday, March 22, 2012

To Serve is to Grow


What a day for the Infant School!  We started off as usual – Sally and Mary Ann with their K small groups, Ruth with her small 1st grade groups and Jane with her 2nd grade group of boys and girls.  Today, both of the 2nd grade teachers were absent.  This was our last day at the school as there is no school on Friday.  After lunch all four of us were summoned to the front of the school where the entire student body had assembled, grouped by grade levels around the tree.  A special program and presentations had been arranged for us.  As we sat in our “special” chairs, each class presented their volunteer with beautifully designed cards which had been signed by the students.  Our pictures were taken with the student presenters.  This was followed by speeches from Mrs. Samuel, the principal, and Ms. Rene, a Kindergarten teacher.  The children then sang several songs.  A 2nd grade girl, Choral Menvielle sang a beautiful solo.  She has a lovely voice and did not appear at all nervous – such stage presence for a 2nd grader.  The entire school closed the program by singing “We love You” to the tune of “If you’re Happy and you Know it Clap You’re Hands”.  Many hugs were then given.  There were tears threatening in many eyes, min included.  What a wonderful and joyous ending to our two weeks at Anse La Raye Infant School.


Dinner at Julietta’s was a special treat.  The coconut shrimp was delicious and a fitting ending to our fine dining experiences.  As our St Lucia adventure draws to a close most of us probably have mixed feelings.  I know I do.    A sense of sadness, nostalgia and melancholy at leaving St Lucia and especially our new found friends in St Lucia and our colleagues from around the US.


And, most importantly,  a certain sense of pride in what we have accomplished in our two short weeks:  A furthering of the English skills of our students, establishing and furthering relationships in the community, setting up the Earth Boxes, doing needed skills in the health field and our help in paving the way for future volunteers to continue Global Volunteers’ work here in St Lucia.

- Jane

No comments:

Post a Comment