Back to the Camillian Centre

Back to the Camillian Centre for a shorter visit. Fr Giovanni has organised a little show for us - there are half a dozen UK visitors. First six of the young people from Independent Living, five girls and a boy, dancing and miming to pop music. They are very good. The girls are neat and precise in their movements. The lone boy, far from being bashful or coy, is relaxed, cool and clearly having fun. The other children clap and cheer noisily. Then thirty younger children sing three merry songs.

Then the surprise of the afternoon. A group of six Japanese nurses in bright silk jackets dance to a song about a fisherman. They are simply amazingly good; snap to time, fast, energetic, graceful. We know how hard they work and wonder where they find the energy to perform to this standard, much less the time for essential rehearsal. Then the older ones again with a song based extraordinarily on the Marche Turque. But again they are brilliant.

Fr Giovanni explains that the Centre regularly welcomes Japanese nurses as volunteers, they come for experience. He values the Japanese contribution especially because these young people bring more to nursing than just technical skill. They bring life and vitality, and give freely of their own high spirits.

What a memorable afternoon this turned out to be. From the youngest to the oldest we were caught up in the infectious enjoyment of life shared by the carers and by the wonderful young people who are Fr Giovanni's numerous but close family. It was a privilege to be there and share their celebration of life. Thank you all.

PS travelling north to Nongkhai on Sunday, maybe no posting. Apologies. But there will then be 2 days of news from Sarnelli etc before closedown and return to UK.