Thursday
April 14th 2011
The
weather is much cooler today and quite dull. It has been a good day. Just before lunch time Michel and Thomas left to drive the almost
1500 miles back to St Malo.
In
the morning we
went to 2 kindergartens – the first one was at Ateas.
This is a very small village further on than Cefa
towards the Hungarian border along one of the bumpiest roads imaginable. Michel
and Thomas were again quite shocked by the road, and when we got to the
kindergarten they were amazed at the poor state of the building. It is a small
kindergarten – only 11 children and more than half were missing today as the
holidays begin tomorrow. They were thrilled with the toys and equipment we took
them and have taken them in the past – the teacher recognised me. She explained
that when the children are too old for kindergarten they must go to Cefa to the school there (about 12 kilometers
away I believe). On the way we passed the post lady cycling along with the mail
from Cefa to Ateas.
In
the car we talked about the depth of need among the poorest in this country,
how there are the rich and the poor but hardly any of “middle range income”
between. The trip has clearly been an eye opener for both Michel and Thomas.
The
final visit before they left was to the Mustard Seed kindergarten. I reckon this was the highlight of the visit for both Michel
and Thomas. They both clearly love children and immediately bonded with the
children, playing with them and clearly having a wonderful time. Thomas was
especially popular and had children hanging onto him all the time. Michel had
tears of joy in his eyes as he said how much both and Thomas had enjoyed
spending that time with the children.
But
all good things must come to an end. They left saying they would be back for sure
another time. They were over the border and back in Hungary by 1.30 pm.