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| Our /Your final words of Love and Encouragement |
BLOG WRITTEN BY LESLIE WAN
Recently we sent a request and invited you to send
messages of love and encouragement to our students at the S.T.E.P. Centre. I am
happy to say the activity and results were amazing, lovely and really encouraging. The
children had a wonderful time with the activity, the staff listened to each
message as it was read, and exclaimed at the locations and the people whom
they didn't know were their global neighbors and supporters.
THE LOVE BOARD WAS A WONDER TO BEHOLD!
So here is how we / you showed the love on that day. Each of
the messages you sent were printed out and framed in a red border. Then
many small and large hearts, were made
from red cartridge paper. We had not one,
but 3 boards, ready for the festivities. In the first stage, each of the children around the room and back,
were given a message to be read from one of you. The children were soooooo
excited to have a message of their own to read (even though in many cases the
teacher had to do the reading for them), it still was "their message from one
of you." After reading the individual messages, the student went to our
low bulletin boards, either walking or wheelchairs (wheelchair level board)
to place your message on it. The messages were read lovingly and with
exclamations of how many states and countries and people, and places, and
organizations in Jamaica and beyond, were represented. Each child and staff loved
having a message of their own to read (plus more) and to be a part of the
"love fest for S.T.E.P." After reading and placing all those messages
on the board, each child and staff member were given a red heart to be placed on
another of the two low bulletin boards as a second activity. These small hearts
that were placed on the other board was a representational heart back to all of you
who sent messages and those who have supported us just by reading the blog. As they placed their hearts on the boards, each of them were saying thanks
from "their heart" for your believing
in them, reading about them, and in your own ways, supporting the challenges of all physically disabled
children. All of these were quite the
moment! Touching, exciting, an educational experience in geography, and a
really tangible way for our school to show our children and staff that they
matter, that you who support us or read about us matter, and that so many
people in so many places, believe in them. I think to the staff, it really
brought home the message, that in their
own way, they make a difference to the children, and that their care of our
children is truly felt and understood across the world. The concept of the blog
and it's people who read it, came ALIVE.
Finally in the last step after all above was done, I took all the hearts
and messages and placed them on the final bulletin board, located in the main
hallway so they could see it each time they entered. It was really touching to see a few of the children before I moved them, wheel themselves up to the board and re-read your messages.
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| That quiet moment re-reading your words before they moved. |
My heart swelled with the wonder of your thoughtful moments!
I really can't think of better way to have brought you,
our faithful readers and supporters into our children's hearts and for you all
to understand that YOU ALL ARE IN OUR HEARTS. We have always said in this blog
that believing in us and touching our lives, means that we too, believe in you
and are grateful that we have dedicated readers and school supporters in so
many ways. Maybe you got or gave other Valentines this year, but rest assured that
these Valentine's meant more to us than any of you will EVER understand!
Other Activities on the day
 A Dance off Party. The children had a terrific time dancing to tunes and it made no difference whether they were in a wheelchair or on their feet. They just love music and are always eager to show off "their skills" |
| Watch me move and groove to the beat. I rock! |
The children and staff traveled among our neighbors on the street and distributed gifts of a paper mache' Valentine's mouse created for each neighbor. Again it is always important to exemplify to our children -kindness, neighborliness and charitable ways. We remind them that though they get so much attention, they are part of a community, and giving is a blessing.
Some of our neighbors on our street as they received their gift- cherished memory for all.
LESLIE'S MESSAGE FOR YOUR MOMENT
If you simply live this moment in your life well, all the moments of your tomorrows will be reflected as the culmination of these moments. Perhaps more than any other time in Jamaica's history, we need to believe that tomorrow is a vision of hope, and that we are the one person who has control, to live those positive moments.
We were uplifted and cherished by a few simple words from folks who have, or have not met us, but folks who know that we
work hard to make a difference to our "invisible" children. You have the power to make a simple difference
that in the end is felt deep in YOUR heart too. We cherish our readers because they
understand that small moments come from wonderful people (all of you) who above
all else recognize that hearts are tender, souls run deep and sometimes the
messages you send while seeming small in words, or free of cost, can move mountains in someone's soul. Take the thought in the hearts we sent back to you, and pay
it forward with just a few words for anyone you think could use it today. It is all a part of the kindness wave we have expressed before and truly believe in.
Blessings to each of you.......Leslie Wan
