Last Day

After relaxing by the pool and in the sea yesterday, we set out for our last visit today to see another old peoples home, as well as visit Shallom House again and see our new found friends. The old peoples home we visited today was just for men; and what men they were. Never had we seen such as group of happy and cheerful men all together, and, like all other places we had visited, they warmly greeted us and prayed for us. We had been warned of some of the men we might see in this home, and their condition, but Jilly thought we were brave enough to witness some of the more extreme examples of old people. It was difficult when we first saw these certain men, but as we got talking to them and listening to their stories, we saw them in a different way, and ignored their disabilities. One man I talked to came from Naples with his family, but broke his spine, resulting in his family leaving him alone in India. Another man had no sight and no feeling, only the sense of hearing. Seeing him lying helplessly on his bed with Rick talking to him was saddening, but even he was grateful for us being their to be with him for an hour or so.

After looking around the home, we regrouped and watched them perform for us. One entertaining man got out his guitar and started playing 'Jingle Bells'.

The highlight of today, and most definitely the whole holiday, was returning to Shallom House to see our friends again. On arrival, we were welcomed again into their home, where they sang and prayed for us. Afterwards, we split ourselves up into groups of around 8, with each of us boys having our own group. We then had lunch of rice, curry, chicken, crisps and fruit, where we got the chance to talk to our groups and learn more about each of them. I found in my group how much they respected us, as one boy was copying everything I did. Normally that would be annoying, but it was in fact funny to see him imitating me.

Then the fun began. Back inside we had the task of creating Christmas cards by colouring in pictures and printing our hands in the card, which has to be said got a bit messy. The children loved colouring in, showing off their skills to us, and showing how well they could write. All the children were fascinated by our cameras, so we thought it would be interesting to give them our cameras to take pictures of everyone. The smiles on their faces of seeing themselves on the screen will stay with me forever.

It was nearly time to say goodbye, but we got a final chance to play in the playground with them. After some more picture taking and prayers, we handed out more sweets and some new balls to play with. The kids loved being lifted and dunking the balls in the hoops, as well as playing volleyball and football. The balls we gave them were only basic, but to them it would be like having the latest Playstation or computer.

When it came for the time to go, we didn't want to leave. We had made such strong bonds with the children over a short space of time, we felt as though we had known them for years.