Time is Marching On - Tuesday, Feb 28

Last day and night here in Derry. Lots of tears and hugs among students. And lots of impressive activities.

After a momentous session with the Theatre of Witness group who described their work writing and performing their stories during the conflict, we got a chance to meet the Oak Grove students for a fancy meal out in town. Everyone got to sit with their Oak Grove buddies and each other for a whole evening. And then walk home.






This morning we had the special opportunity of appearing before the entire school for a farewell assembly. John Harkin expected the group to stand up and introduce themselves and perform their recited poetry. Little did he know, however, but his entire staff planned to surprise him with a special cake and tribute to his being selected principal of the school. So we got to be in on the surprise. 

As we have all come to develop such a high regard for him, it was lovely to be able to share in the honoring of him -- along with his entire staff. 



And then we set off on a bus - with Oak Grove folks -- to the Fountain Primary School (a traditional Protestant neighborhood school) that had invited the Long Tower Primary School (a traditional Catholic school) over for a special morning session with Hands for a Bridge. Our students put together a magical workshop of games, questions, discussions and songs intended to help the kids relax and get to know one another. It went spectacularly well. And we all got "something in our eyes" (as John Harkin put it) when the kids started singing Twist and Shout, and Lean on Me with us at the end. I have some video and will try to post it if I can.

The pictures don't exactly capture the feeling in the room, but you can see the delight on some of these kids faces. And you'll see our students and the Oak Grove students enjoying themselves together as well. 

Here are a few pics. 









Teachers sat together at the back and drank tea and watched with delight. They also chatted, and shared some pastries of course.


All four schools stand together in this photo. The Fountain teacher worked hard to find the logo for each school to post on the screen for the backdrop of the photo. You can see the Roosevelt logo at the top right hand. The kids from the Fountain are in gray blazers in back, the kids from the Long Tower are in the blue blazers. HFB kids have blue tee shirts, and the Oak Grove students have their blue blazers on.

This afternoon we made a trip down to the Foyle Search and Rescue charity: a very impressive group that is dedicated to helping to prevent, rescue and search for folks who jump into the river. The issue of inter-generational trauma carried on from the troubles has intensified since 1993, and the number of suicides is high every year. The group showed us their equipment, and explained how they respond to a call and what some of their challenges are. 




They also provided students the opportunity to play games -- practice rescuing one another, and to practice putting on the 'kit' as fast as they could. Two students -- an Oak Grove student and our Steffy attempted to put on the 'kit' as fast as they could. But John Harkin and David Grosskopf could not allow this record to stand. Each tried to race against the clock and we do have some excellent photos and videos of their efforts -- to be posted soon.




Our final evening was back at Oak Grove where the canteen staff stayed late to fix us all a nice dinner, and celebrate the 15th year of HFB at Oak Grove by inviting HFB alumni in Derry and some of those who spoke to us earlier in the week. So we had a grand banquet with Oak Grove friends and alumni and then an opportunity to share memories, highlights and special moments.  Lots of tears and hugs followed.





HFB alumni in Derry came forward to share their memories with the students and to remind them that they would stay in touch and that this wasn't really goodbye. And our students listened through their tears and wanted to believe their words.



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