Every Friday, one class at CAMS
takes charge of the primary assembly. I
have previously posted about assemblies that I have been in charge of. Each class presents them a different way, but
all of them have the same basic elements.
There is a presentation, usually a skit or song, about something the
class has been learning, presentation of merit certificates for one student
chosen by their teacher per class, announcing of “Gold Cards” which recognize
good behavior on the playground at break time, and the announcement of total
House Points (think Harry Potter for anyone not familiar with these.) Each class presents with their own unique
style and assemblies are fun to watch!
Standard 1 students at their assembly during Term 2
This week, the school gathered to
watch Standard 6. For those of you who
have been following along from the beginning of my journey, you will remember
that this is the class that I started out with at the beginning of the
year. I got to know the Standard 6’s
pretty well during that first term. I
did not however bring my camera this week.
I have been wishing I had all weekend.
They have been talking about
music and how it can affect emotions. On
top of the regular things, one of them gave a brief piano performance. She was very good and it was nice to hear
something different happening during assembly.
A bit later on, they gave a performance that nearly brought me to tears, which was really unusual. Assemblies are normally full of laughter and smiles. It was really unexpected to have something that was so emotional. They performed it perfectly.
They told a story, without words, but set to music. A boy and a girl walked down the aisle together, accompanied by dancing bride’s maids, as is normal in a Tanzanian wedding. They embraced at the altar and exited the church. I remembered thinking that the two students would actually be a great couple in the future. They are both great kids, with funny personalities.
They re-entered, this time
carrying a baby. The part of me that was
enthralled in the story was happy for them.
These funny, happy kids I have gotten to know were starting a family. She went to sit on the floor and he reached
down and touched them both on the head, as if he was saying goodbye. He then turned, walked a few steps, and
picked up a meter stick from the floor and carried it over his shoulder as if
it was a rifle.
He walked a few steps down the center
aisle, between the students there to watch.
Another student came in from the back of the library, also holding his “rifle.” As it rose, the first boy fell to the
floor. It was at this point that I had
to remind myself that we were sitting in the library at CAMS, and that everyone
in the room at this moment was fine. I
had to continue to remember this as four other boys, all his classmates, came
and carried him to the front of the room, where his wife, some other mourners,
and the priest who had officiated at their wedding waited.
It was a bit of a relief when
they got up to take their bow. Part of
me also wanted them to go on.
Encore!! I was amazed at the
seriousness that they had taken in their acting. How many 10-11 year olds do you know who can
act out a wedding scene without laughing or can pick up someone without at
least cracking a smile? They spent no
time goofing off and performed with such a seriousness. It was amazing!
I have seen this story played out
before. You may or may not have seen
this done with shadows in this YouTube clip.
Even though I had seen it before
and been touched by what I saw, there was something different this time. It makes a difference when you can see and
relate to the actors in this kind of thing.
I am extremely grateful to be living in a country where the government
does not recruit and will not sign up children into military service, but I am
closer now than I have ever been. As I watched
the drama go on in front of me, I could not help but think of these kids in
real service.
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