School and pink scholarships...
Last
Saturday we started preparing for the end of the the school year and the
closing of our schools.
In the
morning we started with the boys and girls of St.Augustin (both the middle and
high school). After the performance of some of the students in both dance and
song (in Africa this is something that cannot be missed!), I handed out report cards to the 300
students: some had disappointment, some had a sigh of relief, and some were
quite happy...
This year
we have awarded scholarships to the top student of each class, and the
"pink" scholarships, for the girls who placed themselves among the
first 6 students in each class.
It was a
way to encourage the female genius': often the girls, in addition to going to
school, must also look after their little siblings, and many other household
tasks, so sometimes school is not always as important. This scholarship provides the girls in our
communities incentive to not only go to school but also to do well.
The nice
thing about this initiative (born in Cuneo, supported by CDVM, Salinzucca,
Roagna Vivai and Baramò) is that it is starting to bear its first fruits: this
year the girls who received between 2nd and 6th highest marks increased, and 2
girls were actually the highest marks in their class in the sixth grade. This is an encouraging sign that the girls
are taking their school work seriously and in turn will help them with their
futures.
Saturday
afternoon there was the closing ceremony for the children of the Kindergarten
classes: about 150 children participated in skits, songs and a bit of healthy
chaos.
On Sunday
we celebrated Mass in the chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony, with the children
of the catechism and many people from the community.
In the
afternoon I accompanied Fr. Jérôme Paluku, a Congolese Carmelite and Secretary
of the Missions for our order, up to the rice fields. It is time for sowing,
but also for harvesting: many have taken advantage of the now finished dry
season and the irrigation of the site to produce onions and peanuts.
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| La Cappella di S. Antonio La chaelle de st. Antoine |
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