“NOTHING WILL EVER BE THE SAME”

An opportunity came knocking, we struck our lucky fortune, with wide arms to embrace us “The Promised Land”. It was a month ago when we saw new faces and met new people. A group of youngsters energetic and enthusiastic came alive for the ‘Greater Glory of God’ and for the nourishment of the people of God, to relive the Exodus experience of 3500 B.C., of the chosen people by Yahweh himself.

Working towards this common goal, the community of Divyadaan along with some chosen lay people began the journey of a month to the Promised Land, right from day one to the auspicious day. Describing for you here some of the moments of the making of “The Promised Land”. Very often, when we speak about the making of something, we always get glimpses of scenes, but here it proffers  another angle. Many lives touched by each other, dependent on each other and on God, could bring about a ‘simply amazing’ performance. We the main cast speaking about our journey on this road say, ‘Wonderful’ day and night, pushing ourselves beyond the limits and thinking out of the box made us discover the hidden talents in each other. This was a family that worked together, bringing up each member when s/he had fallen, raising each other from level to the pinnacle of our abilities, by building a strong relationship that was the driving force which made us bear any discouragement, depression, remarks and comments of people.

“Nothing will ever be the same”

Who could say that these simple people, that these young lives would emerge victorious at the end. The impact that one made on another, formed a strong bonding among us that no force can break. Physically separated by distance but always united by chains of love and fraternal bonding.

“Nothing will ever be the same”

Moving away from each other after a month brought tears to our eyes. The joy of being successful fills the emptiness left behind.

“Nothing will ever be the same”

None of us is as strong as all of us. Life comes back on track, but the memories we carry, the moments we remember will always be cherished, a new experience, a new world. Life without friends is like a garden without flowers. At the times when we feel down and alone, let’s remember the time we said ‘I can rise’ with all of you, ‘I can’ with all of you, ‘I will’ with all of you. Let’s bring each other to the Promised Land. We will surely miss each other, another beautiful chapter added to our lives, a chapter filled with words of life changing experiences. Each one out there on the stage was a product of many hands, minds, experiences and mostly many hearts put together. We will always remember, we may be separated by distance but united by love, strength and courage.

“Nothing will ever be the same”

Whoever knew we would meet, whoever knew we would gel well, whoever knew that we would rise, grateful that “Nothing will ever be the same.”

History will remember the promised land and history is created by us. Let us be united and guide each other, at moments when we fall, let us rise together and give glory to God because “Nothing will ever be the same.”

Whatever I was on stage was due to the main cast that held my hands and made me see the hidden superstar within me, that touched my heart so much and made me weep.

“A simple group became a family

  Simple lives became the driving force

  All made one together we stand

  To show God’s great love.”

“Nothing will ever be the same”

Our play might have been a ripple in eternity,  a flash inside our minds, yet it only takes a moment to change the future…

“Nothing will ever be the same”

Thank You, God Bless You All!!!

Mainstream Schools: Pros and Cons

A Mainstream School is any school that principally meets the needs of pupils who do not have special educational needs, an ordinary school and any school which is not a special school. A mainstream school is always defined in contrast to a special school or a school for children with special needs.

Mainstreaming, in the context of education, is the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes during specific time periods based on their skills. This means regular education classes are combined with special education classes. Schools that practice mainstreaming believe that students with special needs who cannot function (at all) in a regular classroom to a certain extent "belong" to the special education environment.

Access to a ‘resource room’ or a ‘self-contained classroom’ is very valuable to a student with a disability. These students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with special education teachers, addressing any need for remediation during the school day. A plan is drawn up for each pupil highlighting the current position and the areas that require special attention through remediation. Researchers, educators and parents advocate the importance of these classrooms despite political environments favoring their elimination.

Proponents of the philosophy of educational inclusion assert that educating children with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers fosters understanding and tolerance, better preparing students of all abilities to function in the world beyond school. Yet every coin has its flip side. The children with special needs may face social stigma as a result of being mainstreamed, though it may also help them develop socially.

Pros:

1. Benefits to students with disabilities:

It facilitates access to the general curriculum. It brings about a higher academic achievement. Access to a resource room increases students’ academic skills. It promotes a higher self - esteem. It leads to confidence and a display of raised self – efficacy. Students feel equal and do not want to be treated differently. It helps in the development of social skills. They learn social skills through observation. They develop a better understanding of the world around them. Helps them become part of the regular community. It makes them more likely to engage in social relations and to communicate with others.

2. Benefits to non – disabled students:

It creates an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance that better prepares students of all abilities to function in the world beyond school. It increases self-concept, tolerance, self-worth, and a better understanding of other people. It prepares them to deal with disability in their own lives. Contact theory asserts that frequent, meaningful, and pleasant interactions between people with differences tend to produce changes in attitude.

Cons:

1. Disadvantages to non – disabled students’ academic education

A mainstreamed student may require much more attention from the teacher than non-disabled students in a general class. Time and attention may be taken away from the rest of the class. What has to be taken into consideration are the disabilities in question and the resources available for support.

2. Disadvantages to the academic education of students with disabilities

General education teachers do not have the training and skills to accommodate special needs students in a general education classroom setting. Professional training and supportive services can usually address these concerns. Unaware/ unprepared teachers are also more resistant to having these students in class which can lead to regression of the students with disabilities and decreased classroom productivity.

Social Issues: Those who are mainstreamed for only certain classes or certain times may feel conspicuous or socially rejected by their classmates. They may become targets for bullying. They may feel embarrassed by the additional services they receive. Some students with disabilities may feel more comfortable in an environment where most students are working at the same level or with the same supports.

Conclusion:

The student’s needs are the driving force behind selecting a mainstream school or any other style of education. Mainstreaming does not involve putting a child full-time in a special school. (Separation) Mainstreaming does not involve placing a child full-time in a regular classroom. (Inclusion) Mainstreaming does not involve teaching the child outside of school. (Exclusion)

Yet mainstream schools need to do much more to be able to support disabled and special needs students.  Whether that means more awareness among teachers and students or more money being allocated on budgets, not in every case, but in many the school system does let disabled students down, and this is unacceptable.

After having looked at so many aspects of mainstream schools, it is evident that though they give the young a wonderful opportunity, they must keep the needs of the young at the centre and reinvent themselves to be relevant in the education of both students with and without disabilities. 

“Multum in parvo…”(Much in little)

“Minima Maxima Sunt…”

 Learning this archaic language of Latin will leave you wondering about the ‘why’. It seems like quite a waste of time. Yet in the end it’s not all that bad.

‘Omnia causa fiunt’ – Everything happens for a reason. Latin is a beautiful language, the sound is sonorous and it’s the root of so many other languages. So, ‘Nil desperandum’ – Never despair. Even when there’s something you don’t really fancy doing, just go ahead and do it. After all, ‘Per aspera ad astra’ – it’s through difficulties to the stars!!! Now, in this short course of Latin, which was not so bothersome, come to think of it, I finally agree with the phrase: “Minima Maxima Sunt” – The smallest things are the most important.

So don’t leave out the little things in life. A simple smile, a cheerful ‘Good Morning’, a concerned ‘How do you do?’ or a spirited ‘Let’s have some fun’. Just ‘Carpe Diem’ – Seize the day and Have a blast!!!

JOURNEYING TO THE PROMISE LAND

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We, the fathers, brothers and lay collaborators, here at Divyadaan began our journey to the Promised Land towards the end of the month of June. Right now as the curtain comes down for the last time on the Promised Land I am left with mixed emotions.

The journey has truly been amazing. The final show was ‘simply amazing’ in the words of our director Fr. Wyman Gonsalves sdb. But I cherish more the entire process of coming together to put up this musical. It has been an intense experience, a wonderful opportunity for me to take the stage after nine years and dance after ten long years. I enjoyed the special moments back stage with a very special cast. Each one of us had very unique experiences and when I requested, all of them took the trouble to pen down their experiences. So I would like place on record my thanks to Mrs. Verna, Mrs. Smitha, Ms. Rochelle, Ms. Shezney, Ms. Ritu, Sr.Valerie, Cls. Bosco, Christopher, Felix,  Telston, Volney, Jarnel and Arun. Each of them wrote such a lot that compiling it all became a quite a task. I will just mention briefly some adjectives that qualify our indescribable experiences and some of our learnings and sharings.             

 One of the common sentiments was that of gratitude for this wonderful opportunities. For the man who coordinated the entire show the assistant-director Cl. Bosco Carvalho sdb, it was an experience of being Moses, of surrendering to God and seeing the might hand of God, bring this play to fruition. For Moses (Cl. Felix A) it was a real experience of journeying to freedom from the chains of slavery to bias and misconceptions with the help of cast and community. For Aaron (Cl. Volney) it was an experience of God’s blessings, a chance to grow in confidence and an experience of Don Bosco’s words “Days fly for the cheerful”.

For Jochebed (Mrs. Smitha) It was a great experience of being encouraged, gaining confidence, making new friends and sharing life with the brothers who are caring and full of life. For Zipporah (Ms. Shezney), it was a journey from trepidation and hesitation to confidence, an experience of the light happy and joyful automosphere at Divyadaan, the positive vibes & the spark in the eyes of the brothers each doing the best in whatever role they had. For Mariam (Ms. Rochelle), it was an awesome experience of overcoming stage fear, learning to persevere, an experience of a  positive change in life. For Joshua (Cl. Arun), it was a learning  experience of hardwork, team work and bonding, an experience of weakness and sacrifice for freedom, an experience of God’s love and help  and encouragement of cast and community. For Nathan (Cl. Jarnel), it was a journey from bias to joy and satisfaction, an experience of fun composing music for the narrators song with Cl. Swithin, an adventure, an experience of team work, overcoming fear  and memory failure, above all, an experience of freedom. For Ramses (Cl. Telston), it was an experience of how God uses the weak to shame the wise, an experience of encouragement and support from the community. For Nefertari (Ms. Ritu), it was an experience of self discovery, team work, coordination and learning. For Pharoh (Cl. Christopher N), it was an experience of God’s Grace  to be able to act despite sickness, a journey from being afraid of being the villain to seeing a negative role as essential to God’s plan for his chosen people. For the Queen of Egypt (Mrs. Verna), it was an exciting experience of choreographing a belly dance for the first time, of interacting with brothers and fathers, of experiencing the wonderful atmosphere at Divyadaan especially on her birthday, of finding time to make short visits to the chapel and above all, an experience of peace, like a mental holiday.

“The promise land was what it was called.

  It made people from all walks of life get involved.

  ‘God is great’ was, is and ever will be our song,

  He who was playing music in our hearts like a sweet sounding gong.”

I guess much can be written about the play but it was a marvelous opportunity to give a message:“our God is a God of love who never forgets his people”. Though we may be like the Israelites selfish, trying to be self sufficient, grumbling despite of all the blessing and being unfaithful, GOD LOVES US!!!

“Theater is like a picnic on a bus.The seat you get is not important. Being a part of the whole experience and enjoying the journey is important.” Ultimately, it is not what we did in life that matters, but the bonds and connections you made that make life priceless. We may forget the songs of the play but the not the people, because

“There’s a miracle call friendship that dwells within the heart

  And we do not know how it happens or when it gets its start.

  But the happiness it brings you always gives you a special lift

  And you realize friendship is God’s most precious gift”.

Let us continue our journey to the promised land by the witness of our lives may each of us be another Moses leading those around us to the promised land.