To Them It Is Home And They Are Happy

Today was another exception visit to the Khartoum YMCA school for children in Gabarona, on the ourskirts of Omdurman across the Nile from Khartoum. Joining us today was Bruce Steen, Program Manager for the Sudan Program of CIDA. Hundreds of children from the school were anxiously awaiting the metal door of

the school to open and when it did, loud cheers went up from the boys and girls from about 3 years of age to 12. They were excited and after a few short welcoming words from Bruce, Dr. Wageeh and myself, they broke into song and were obviously anxious to sing for us. We noticed many of the new clothes that we had handed out to students last week were being worn by the children

although some of the clothes had already gotten a bit soiled. An amazing thing we noticed was on one occasion the three of us visitors were talking to each other and the children started getting a bit restless on their benches. All of a sudden a young boy of about 10 years jumped up on his bench in the middle of the group
and started singing a song in Arabic. Within seconds the whole group were following him in the song with more excitement than any of the other songs they had sung.

We did not stay long, not wanting to overdo our unscheduled visit to the school - especially on a hot afternoon when they would ordinarily be on their way home. The school was buzzing with excitement both inside and outside as it was obviously a community centre in the middle of an

otherwise desolate area of the Sahara. No matter how it appeared to us, it
was home to them and they were happy.
Photos: (top to bottom)

- student decides to lead the group in a favorite song

- happy students

- part of the group

- Girl and younger sibling

- Bruce Steen from CIDA in Canada with a group of students