Today was always going to be about introducing our pupils to the amazing kids and teenagers of Don Bosco. Father George, originally from South America, founded this home for the homeless, orphanage and shelter a few years ago now... and the projet is still expanding. So after having spent the morning rehearsing for the musicians and chilling for the others, whilst Mr Coward and I went to get 240 bottles of water- that should see us through to Thursday, and some delicious Cornish type pasties- they got the approval of our very own Hattie so high praise indeed- we made our way through bustling, chaotic, loud, enchanting and mostly hot Freetown. Once at Don Bosco, we had to wait for Father George to come back from his visit to the main prison where he works with prisoners to try to help with reinsertion, Jacob introduced the group and what followed was quite surreal.
Our beautiful voices- I mean our singers, not mine!- raising in the humid air of Freetown and captivating the audience. A quartet of James, Freddie, June and Hattie gave a lovely rendition of “Somewhere over the rainbow”, then Harriet performed a Taylor Swift song- and started to warm up the crowd...but they got really excited when she sang one of her own songs. Then another quartet led by Jacob performed one of Ed Sheeran’s songs, and finally, they all sang Billy Joel together, with Simon drumming on the guitar... for a very first set, less than 24 hours after our arrival, it was great!
But what followed was unexpected! No songs this time, but performances from the street boys- not another Irish pop band, but the boys who have been found on the streets of Freetown, because they have run away from home or have been put there by their families. They danced, and danced some more, and then performed juggling tricks, and then they danced a little bit more. There was a fantastic atmosphere!
Then, before playing a very tense and high stake football game, our students joined these young people and started impromptu conversations. we drew 1 all in the boys game, but lost 0-1 in the girls versus boys game.
This camaraderie led to our pupils asking to be taught some dance moves!
It was heartwarming to see our pupils embracing this new experience, and it was clear for all to see, how sad they were to have to leave after 2 and a half hours... they had been touched, as I have been every time I have stepped into Don Bosco, by those young lives already damaged, but with hope on their horizon. We left behind tons of sweets and made a donation to support the work Father George does with “his family (Fambul)” in and around Freetown. Tonight, I think we shall all sleep well, full of the memories of the day, and it seems quite tired by the heat!
Tomorrow, another day beckons...
Jules DA
