Hello all
We are heading home! We will keep you updated as we travel back to London. The last few days have had us doing a day of retreat and a safari. We saw the big 5 and two male lions which was amazing. We arrived last night in Dar and we greeted by Father Jerome and Sister Euphrasia who had come the 8 hours to see us off properly.
However our final blog will focus on the last day at St Ignatius pre and Primary and to do this I introduce our final poster - George Smith
Today, Saturday the 29th of July, will be our last full day in Dodoma. Today we are celebrating St. Ignatius day, which is definitely a fitting way to end our stay in the amazing city of Dodoma.
I had a bit of a lie-in this morning as I woke at the generous time of 6.30 instead of dead on 6.00. I tucked in to a salty omelette and gathered all of my luggage in my bags and headed out to the car to be dropped to school by my host father along with my host brothers and sister. Our arrival was an emotional one, as it hit home hard that today would be our last time seeing the children of St. Ignatius Prep and Primary school.
The school stage and lunch area had been decorated in red and white ribbons, it definitely looked the part.
Shortly after we arrived a mass ensued. It was led by Father Martin, a recently ordained Jesuit priest (who was involved in the Tanzania trip 10 years ago when he was still a Jesuit scholastic - a training priest) along with Father Jerome and two other priests. A similar choir to the one that was present at church sang, and, as usual, it sounded brilliant. Father Martin was a very enthusiastic preacher, which became evident in his Homily where he engaged all of the children.
We were then introduced to the different presentations that the classes were performing; this involved modelling, speeches, and dance routines. A team of dancers from St. Peter Claver school had their routines cut in half due to an untimely power cut, which halted their backing track music.
Class 5 were joined by our very own Daniel and Adam, where they blew us away with an impressive dance (Daniel did one too many dabs). It was hilarious.
It was soon our turn to do our performance. After blaring out Beatum Pangimus, our school song, we left the stage. This was Arian's cue to run on stage in his fat suit and do the macarena, which we all joined in on. The atmosphere was electric as we performed the moves (which by now are engraved into our memory) on the stage, the children loved it as usual.
After the celebrations were over, we all went to spend some quality time with the children, particularly our host children. Personally, I didn't want this quality time to end. My host children - Alan and Alice, were absolute champs today, bearing in mind it was an extremely sombre day. There wasn't a dry eye in sight.
We have all lost a child-sized chunk of ourselves.
I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that we will all feel different going onto this last leg of our journey, but the good always comes with the bad. It was bitter sweet seeing our kids cry today; on one hand it was harrowing watching someone you love cry, but also at the same time heart warming to know that they care and that they will miss you.
I had a bit of a lie-in this morning as I woke at the generous time of 6.30 instead of dead on 6.00. I tucked in to a salty omelette and gathered all of my luggage in my bags and headed out to the car to be dropped to school by my host father along with my host brothers and sister. Our arrival was an emotional one, as it hit home hard that today would be our last time seeing the children of St. Ignatius Prep and Primary school.
The school stage and lunch area had been decorated in red and white ribbons, it definitely looked the part.
Shortly after we arrived a mass ensued. It was led by Father Martin, a recently ordained Jesuit priest (who was involved in the Tanzania trip 10 years ago when he was still a Jesuit scholastic - a training priest) along with Father Jerome and two other priests. A similar choir to the one that was present at church sang, and, as usual, it sounded brilliant. Father Martin was a very enthusiastic preacher, which became evident in his Homily where he engaged all of the children.
We were then introduced to the different presentations that the classes were performing; this involved modelling, speeches, and dance routines. A team of dancers from St. Peter Claver school had their routines cut in half due to an untimely power cut, which halted their backing track music.
Class 5 were joined by our very own Daniel and Adam, where they blew us away with an impressive dance (Daniel did one too many dabs). It was hilarious.
It was soon our turn to do our performance. After blaring out Beatum Pangimus, our school song, we left the stage. This was Arian's cue to run on stage in his fat suit and do the macarena, which we all joined in on. The atmosphere was electric as we performed the moves (which by now are engraved into our memory) on the stage, the children loved it as usual.
After the celebrations were over, we all went to spend some quality time with the children, particularly our host children. Personally, I didn't want this quality time to end. My host children - Alan and Alice, were absolute champs today, bearing in mind it was an extremely sombre day. There wasn't a dry eye in sight.
We have all lost a child-sized chunk of ourselves.
I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that we will all feel different going onto this last leg of our journey, but the good always comes with the bad. It was bitter sweet seeing our kids cry today; on one hand it was harrowing watching someone you love cry, but also at the same time heart warming to know that they care and that they will miss you.
See you tomorrow
Geoge and team Tanzania xx
Wow George just Wow! very good blog. while I feel your sadness that the trip is over I will be so glad to see you all on Wednesday evening especially Ruairi!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much to all the St Ignatius teachers, hosts families, Sister Euphrasia and all the others that made this trip possible for you all to go on.
A Lovely blog George!
ReplyDeleteOf course you will all be sad leaving the children & your host families but you will have lovely memories of this trip. You have done some amazing things & met some amazing people.
Thank you to everyone who was involved with organising & making the trip possible.
Have a safe journey home.
See you tomorrow.
Love u Baby George
Xx Mum Dad Harry & Sid xx
Another brilliant blog! it must have been very emotional saying goodbye, but you will all have such tremendous memories to look back on in the future and think about what amazing people you have met and what you have done.
ReplyDeleteA Big Thank You to all the St Ignatius staff, host families and Sister Euphrasia and everyone else in Tanzania who made this such a wonderful trip for you all.
Very much looking forward to seeing you tomorrow Jonathan.
Safe journey
lots of love
mum, dad, Christopher and Charlotte xxxx
Oh George your blog brought a tear to my eye . So glad you all coming home but how enriched your lives will be. I know how just reading messages blogs and seeing photos has impacted on us.
ReplyDeleteLike other's i thank everyone who made this trip possible. You are all amazing and deserve a well earned rest.
I don't know most of you very well but feel I do know you little more after reading your wonderful blogs.
Safe journey home excited to see you all especially Paddy.
Love Siobhan x
Dear George
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming final blog. I am sure you and your friends have left footprints on the children's hearts as they have yours.
You have all had a fantastic experience that will stay with you forever.
Have a safe journey home. Look forward to seeing you soon.
We are so proud of you.
Lots of love
Auntie Susan and Uncle Mick. xx
Another great blog. Didn't think Dan knew what a Dab was (and most the parents probably think you are talking about an implement used when playing bingo!!).
ReplyDeleteWe know from the blogs and the messages that this has been an amazing life experience for you all. When you return I'm sure you will not forget your hosts, the children and all at the school but also remember that there was plenty of love for you from home. You can show you felt it by the little things you do when you get back. Try and actually empty your clothes from your bag and for the more advanced you could even help to wash them!!
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night.
I cannot believe what you all have achieved, experienced & discovered on this amazing journey. I am sure it has exceeded all of your expectations!
ReplyDeleteA huge thank you to all who have made this possible - You are amazing people!
Stefan you have made us very proud & we have been overwhelmed by your enthusiastic & mature approach to this experience and we are sure it will have enriched your life.
Have a safe journey home all of you & keep in your hearts the wonderful children whose lives you appear to have touched so deeply- who knows some of you may meet again - it can be a very small world.
Can't wait to see you in Malta baby cakes!
Big hugs Love Mama, Papa & Edward x
Btw please don't forget your passport you will need that for Friday Xxx
Thanks George for another great (final) blog:( - you have maintained the standard of all those that preceded you!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe that your journey is coming to an end - it may have been relatively short in relation to the 17/18 years you have all spent in this world but I am sure it will live with you all forever.
I, too, want to record my gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has made this fantastic experience possible especially Sr Euphrasia & Fr Jerome (can't believe they travelled 8 hours to say goodbye - perhaps they just wanted to make sure you actually left the country!!), everyone in Dodoma, your host families for their warmth, welcome, hospitality and surrogate parenting in looking after you all so well. And last, but definitely not least, the staff from St Igs - what amazing people you are - you are living examples of 'Men & Women for Others' - fantastic ambassadors for the college and great role models for the students (well, the bits of the trip that have been shared with us on the blog - what happens in Tanzania stays in Tanzania .......!!)
Really looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, especially Jack. God Bless you all and safe journey home.
Love mum x
Welcome back guys !
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to hear all the stories and have you back.
See you soon Arian
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