Visiting at Regina Pacis and with the children is an experience and a priviledge not to be missed: if you travel to Bombay or are living there, take the opportunity to visit Regina Pacis!

While activities were intended to enrich the girls' lives and provide them with great memories, and the activities indeed accomplished that, it was the sponsors whose lives were changed by these simple but heart-felt interactions: the girls have lasting memories of great events but it was the sponsors whose lives were permanently enriched by experiencing the differences in culture and the immeasurable kindness, sharing, joy, smiles and goodness shown by these young girls and the Sisters who care for them.

16 DECEMBER, 1999   Christmas Party
The Regina Pacis Christmas Party on December 16 was a lot of fun. Santa (Michael Wagner did it this year - his son did it last year - I guess it is Cindy's turn next year!) made a special appearance to hand out Christmas stockings and dance with the girls, games were played, songs were sung, and a wonderful performance by the girls took place. A memorable event as always!

5 DECEMBER, 1999   Birthday Party
Sponsors Sam and Glenna Pace threw an awesome "american houstan-style" birthday party for every girl in the boarding! Complete with cake and ice cream, balloons, clowns, magician, celebrations, lots of music and lots of dancing, a Dahler Mendi look-alike (or was it really him...), games and presents. Five year old Pooja said it best in her thank-you letter, "that was the happiest moment of my life!"

13 OCTOBER, 1999   Bowling
Ten girls with nowhere to go over the Diwali holidays were taken bowling at Buddies, downtown Mumbai. With personal coaching from Buddies staff, the girls quickly caught on to this new game and had a blast. In their second game, spares and strikes were not uncommon and scores neared 100. It was also fun to watch the bowling pins dangle from their strings like puppets...a new concept for even the most experienced bowler.

3 OCTOBER, 1999   Sponsor Day
Another incredible event! This special event for sponsors and their sponsored children was a huge success. Sister Margaret (principal), Sister Teresa (in charge of the girls in boarding), Sister Nirmala (in charge of the domestics), the music teacher and over 120 girls hosted and thoroughly entertained about 30 sponsor-guests.

Domestic workers were also having their annual dance celebration at the school so the courtyard was already full of colorful saris, circle-dancing and happy singing. I think the sponsors would have even been happy watching that all night!

The three Sisters above gave a tour of the facilities and answered questions. Every room was spotless, especially the kitchen...sponsors were informed that all the girls in the boarding are responsible for their own cleaning. Considering there are 120 girls, this was very impressive how responsible the girls are.

Girls of all ages then put on a special show of Indian dance, singing, and reading. Sponsors were spell-bound by the smiles and talent of the older girls on the stage and tried not to giggle at the antics of the younger girls.

After the break for cookies and drinks, Sister Margaret started an "ice breaker" game. The idea was to play the game for a bit and move on to another game. But! everyone was having such a great time that no one wanted to be "out" and the game went on and on with over 120 girls and 30 Sponsors running around and Sister Margaret trying to shout directions! The Sponsors were a bit dazed by all the screams of delight and hand-holding of the girls, but by the time the end came and the closing circle song was sang, every one begrudgingly left with excited smiles on their faces and wanting to return soon.

The girls taught sponsors their closing circle song. The words are:
Bind us together Lord
Bind us together
with cord that can't be broken,
Bind us together Lord
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love.

 
4th July and 15th August, 1999   Movies in the Afternoon
The July 4th movie, 101 Dalmations, was made especially exciting with a surprise visit by Melanie Murray's large, loveable dog, Major. It was quite a new experience for both the girls and Major. To witness faces filled with fear of a large beast turn into faces of delight at a soft, cuddly dog is truely amazing.

After watching the movie Little Mermaid on August 15th, everyone relocated to the courtyard to blow bubbles. With screams and squeals of delight, the air quickly filled with hundreds of multi-colored bubbles floating up and out of sight. Music then started to play and sponsors were invited to join in and learn a few new steps of Indian dancing. Perhaps it was the loud music, but Jan Jenson, one of the sponsors, took the liberty of teaching the girls how to dance in "snake" formation and proceeded to form a dancing snake that wound in and out of classrooms and the courtyard. While it appeared to all be in chaos, Sister Margaret was seen running around with a smile of her face saying "this is fantastic!"  Those last couple of sentences provided by editor.