Farewell ESM 2009-2010

The school year has finished and the students are gradually leaving Rome. On Tuesday night the students organised a party. It started with dinner on the terrace,and was followed by a quiz. The contestants were: Kev and me; Claire and Damien (the current directors) and three other team members. The questions were to test how well we knew the students and the life of the ESM. For example, they projected photos onto the wall with the faces veiled, and we had to guess who they were. We also had to guess which of the Asian students had said the following, regarding another of the students, "What a clever pig. Speaks such good human!" It was so much fun.

Then the students presented a card to each of the team members. Every student had written inside. They wrote such kind/funny things.

Then everyone started to sing "happy birthday". Several people came out with cakes and gave them to all the people who had not had a birthday since their school year started in October. So I got a birthday cake and card!

Then they did some hilarious performances - very entertaining.

Then each of us had to take an envelope from a box. Inside was the name of one of the others in the group. The idea is that we are a 'prayer angel' for that person and promise to pray for them every single day for the rest of our lives. It is amazing to know that Rudney from Brazil is going to pray for me, forever!


Birthdays between July and October

Since yesterday, we have been saying goodbye to the students as they start to return home. It reminds me of the last day of the year when I did the School. Very sad. Everyone gathers in the lobby of the hotel and says goodbye to the person who is about to leave for the airport. There have been many tears. These students have been like brothers and sisters for nine months, and now some of them may never see the others again.


Kev and me with the students that we will pray for every day

Today, we have continued to say goodbye to students. There are only four left. They are such a good group of people. So warm and joyful. We hope to see them again in the future, but who knows.......