Julie Wallis Feedback

A Volunteer from Australia

My visit to the Jaago Foundation fun day was my second visit to the foundation to meet the students and all the volunteers. On my first visit I saw a beautiful performance of music, dance and drama by all the children with some help from staff. Everything had amazingly been prepared and rehearsed in a very short period of time including the transformation of the outdoor area into a very beautiful and colourful function space. A presentation of the children’s first uniforms followed.

I was really struck by the enthusiasm and joy the children exuded and also by the love and dedication shown by all the volunteer staff. It is a place that makes me want to return again and again to give of myself in whatever way possible, even if that can only be from time to time. I think that anyone who visits feels the same way. To be present and share in the energy of the staff and the children feels like a gift that must be returned.

The Fun Day was indeed a day filled with fun. I started by watching cartoons with some of the children and being taught the words for mouse, sister, party, key, bad…. in whispers and giggles as we watched the Cinderella story together. Then I went to another room to dance (very badly) with some of the other children. Much of the dancing involved being spun around in circles by children holding my hands, while trying to remember the dance moves the children were taught before the music started. I certainly got my exercise for the day.

But mostly the day was spent laughing together and having fun. I loved it and still think of all the children’s smiling faces. A delicious lunch followed then it was time to say good-bye to everyone, for now.