Saying goodbye

Displaying the finished banner, with Midhun, Susan and Anub

The school dancing group

With Jithin (left) on the school outing

Liji

Sutana and Meenu


Sharon looking beautiful on the school outing

Sruti - a real cutie

Meenu



Anub, the best dancer

Achen, Lindsay and daughter Cheryl, who looked after me so well during my time at Jyothis

It feels like ages since I last blogged and, having just checked, it is. This time last week I was running around like a crazy women, trying to fit packing, banner finishing and present wrapping around the school's end of term concert (in which I sang an English song, a Malayalam song, gave a short speech in Malayalam and a slide show in English - whew!)

It felt very emotional saying goodbye to the children, who have given me so much unconditional love over the last two and a half months. I'll never forget my time at Jyothis and I know that, one day, I'll come back and see them all again.

We finished the banner and it looks great. The kids and teachers love it, and there are plans to make a border and some hanging tabs so that it can be displayed on the wall of the school's hall.

These children are so special. There's Jerin with his love of cricket and his sudden abrupt smile. Anuba N, who answers a question by repeating it back to you, and who loves to dance. Jithin with his habit of covering his face with his hands, like a little mouse washing its whiskers. Sree Kutin, who's bright as a button and who, like me, has fallen in love with the school kitten. Cheeky monkey Ambadi, who always wants to join in with anything new, and has the attention span of a gnat. Liji, who loves to look through the magazines I bring in, carefully cutting out pictures and keeping her treasured cuttings in a folded piece of white paper.

So many children, so many memories. I feel privileged to have been part of their lives for a short time, and so grateful for this experience.