This year St. Bartholomew school from Chorao Island has been included in our Libraries in Schools program. It was added after we had started in the other schools and ever since we have made the entry we are on a roll! We had gone to the school to conduct the Big River Draw. Ms.Dancho, the Head, showed interest in the LiS program and after discussions, Sujata Noronha, our Director was invited for the PTA meeting of the school. After the interactions with the Parents and Teachers about our program, we were requested to conduct our sessions in Classes 1 to 4.
At the library, all the preparations were done quickly, as the first month of the academic year was already over. The stationery boxes were filled with colours, pencils, stars, etc.; notebooks for children were packed; story books of different genres and levels were gathered and put in boxes keeping in the mind the different age groups.
On the first day of going to this school, our Bookworm van left Taleigao and we reached the ferry point. Yes, we were going to reach the island by a ferry ride every week. It was an amazing feeling. The place was peaceful and the river was surrounded by mangroves. The van drove on to the ferry and I waited eagerly to reach the other side; this was the longest ferry journey I have ever had. When we reached the island, we saw the signboard for the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. I was happy to be on an exciting island. With the main road twisting and turning and greenery everywhere, we reached the school.
In all the schools, our first session has always been the Book Doctor session, where we talk about book care. However, here Sujata suggested we give them the experience of the magic of a story since the whole experience of books and a library was new for the children. So our bags were filled with soft toys and Big Books. The children gathered around us, curious to know who we were and what were the colourful things inside the boxes.
It has been more than a month since we have started sessions in this school. We are still getting to know the children, systems are still being put in place but the exhilaration of travelling in the ferry, the drive through the lush island and the joy of the children when they see us is still a new experience for us. I am looking forward to the year ahead with the School on the Island.
