Wednesday April 11th dawned as each Philippino day dawns, hot, hot and hot. Today was day three of construction and that meant roofing. Combine heat and white metal roofing and you get more heat. By lunchtime we had dragged half the roof into position and had it loosely pinned in place. I was not feeling much like celebration but these Augustinians have a way of changing the mood.
This came in the form of Chris Downey’s happy birthday songs. If you can imagine walking out of an inferno into a cool kitchen filled with 15 children and half dozen (a gaggle) of nuns singing three different birthday songs, all the while smiling and clapping, well you can see how that might lift the old spirits.
After lunch a breeze came up, the remainder of the roofing was put up and Fr Tony Banks, Fr Peter Jones, Sr Joan and Sr Josie showed up. Things were looking up.
The electrician was installing the lights and power. Bert the carpenter had a team of men finishing the sewer system, Peter Jones the builder was putting up wall sheets and the building was looking good.
I know what you’re saying. What about the boys? Oh…the boys!
They have been the star attraction from the first day. These boys are Trojans. They work all day in that heat and when they finish they take about ten seconds to recover and then launch into some equally energetic relaxation activity. Without their enthusiasm for work and willingness to learn we would have sunk into the heat haze. In his book Candide Voltaire writes “let us work without arguing, that’s the only way to make life bearable.” The boys appear to have discovered a very valuable lesson while here. Life for the average Philippino is extremely difficult. In that context of difficulty the Philippino people prosper. They work without arguing and that is what our boys are doing. I am extremely proud to be associated with them.
Philippinos are warm, friendly and happy people. I have spent four weeks here now and they have made me feel completely welcome.
After work it was time to continue with that birthday…. A surprise party for Chris at Jollibee’s (??????) At dinner that night Sr Nicete and Sr Pinky brought the most amazing cake and we celebrated some more.
After Dinner a few boys took part in a dancing lesson. Yes a real dancing lesson with a real “Professor of Dance” the flamboyant Emile. Imagine this if you can. 99% humidity in an external gym/shed. There were a dozen young Aussie boys and some staff learning the Cha-Cha and then the Rumba. Their enthusiasm for the sport was incredible as we shasse’d across the floor, complete with expressive arm movements. The video ransom demands are being discussed as we write. Hats off to the boys for taking on a real challenge and talking of continuing this sport when they arrive home!!
This came in the form of Chris Downey’s happy birthday songs. If you can imagine walking out of an inferno into a cool kitchen filled with 15 children and half dozen (a gaggle) of nuns singing three different birthday songs, all the while smiling and clapping, well you can see how that might lift the old spirits.
After lunch a breeze came up, the remainder of the roofing was put up and Fr Tony Banks, Fr Peter Jones, Sr Joan and Sr Josie showed up. Things were looking up.
The electrician was installing the lights and power. Bert the carpenter had a team of men finishing the sewer system, Peter Jones the builder was putting up wall sheets and the building was looking good.
I know what you’re saying. What about the boys? Oh…the boys!
They have been the star attraction from the first day. These boys are Trojans. They work all day in that heat and when they finish they take about ten seconds to recover and then launch into some equally energetic relaxation activity. Without their enthusiasm for work and willingness to learn we would have sunk into the heat haze. In his book Candide Voltaire writes “let us work without arguing, that’s the only way to make life bearable.” The boys appear to have discovered a very valuable lesson while here. Life for the average Philippino is extremely difficult. In that context of difficulty the Philippino people prosper. They work without arguing and that is what our boys are doing. I am extremely proud to be associated with them.
Philippinos are warm, friendly and happy people. I have spent four weeks here now and they have made me feel completely welcome.
After work it was time to continue with that birthday…. A surprise party for Chris at Jollibee’s (??????) At dinner that night Sr Nicete and Sr Pinky brought the most amazing cake and we celebrated some more.
After Dinner a few boys took part in a dancing lesson. Yes a real dancing lesson with a real “Professor of Dance” the flamboyant Emile. Imagine this if you can. 99% humidity in an external gym/shed. There were a dozen young Aussie boys and some staff learning the Cha-Cha and then the Rumba. Their enthusiasm for the sport was incredible as we shasse’d across the floor, complete with expressive arm movements. The video ransom demands are being discussed as we write. Hats off to the boys for taking on a real challenge and talking of continuing this sport when they arrive home!!
1 comment:
Tom, I bet the dancing instructor has never had a pupil in a Geelong football gernsey...they won last week and play Melb this weekend will let you know how they go,
love Mum
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