A peek into an Awesum Flashback.

One night in the month of March 2012, when we were having our random conversation of “How to make a difference”, the topic changed to the more obvious area of MCYM (Malankara Catholic Youth Movement). We wanted to do something new from the usual routines, wanted to try out something out of the box (we were kind of jobless at that moment)…. And the talks lead to the idea of a Personality Development residential camp for kids from high school (know it’s not an out of the box idea, but standing at the position we were then, it was something entirely out of the universe).

We both were more than stupid to move forward with the idea, inspite of not having any financial support, human resource or the knowledge in this area other than some friends and our Director.  

A whole month was given for this. The plan was sketched and re-sketched, name was searched from local books to dictionary to internet,  brochure was designed and printed, re-designed and printed. Venue was searched, menu was fixed and changed and fixed.
Everything was been done a 100 times, but each time learning something new.

Ads were given, brochures were distributed. Cousins and family friends’ kids were brain washed or more over forced to register.

Then the wait was on….. for the public response.

The first call!!! The smile and excitement it gave me is undefined. For the first time I felt, ‘This is gonna happen’. Because convincing parents that we the youth are gonna handle their children and gonna develop their personality in a five day camp was a challenge, and a greater challenge when the parents considered us as KIDS!!!!!!!

After that, days became longer and nights became days. And I was never seen in my own house before 9pm and after 9am, which made my initially over supportive mom to chant, “You’re a grown up GIRL, and not a BOY to roam around at this time of night”. Due to this constant reminder of hers we were forced to shift the meeting place to my house.

After giving a month of our time for this, the D-day came. 

Kids actually came to the venue with their bags and stuffs and that too even before us. Anything else needed to make us happy?

Thus,

Manana 2012 officially started. With 37 children.

And it was one hell of a week.

Days, when we slept at 3 and waked at 5am, that too, without the ear throbbing sound of the alarm… when we, ourselves who needed someone to look after us, actually took care of all the 37… when we  bothered about their health and food more than ours… when we did everything to make them happy and secure… when we became suddenly mature enough to be their Chettans and Chechies… when we had to go to hospital twice in 5 days, and when the Vicks toffees were handed out in tons... and when we truly lived like One Very Big Happy Family.

Scoldings, peer fights, fun, ego, smiles, tears, personal issues, stubbornness, fear, tension, home sickness….. You name it…. You could find there.  

Even we, the so called big ones were not bad enough. We had our bit of everything… from fighting, teasing, going for a walk around the campus after sane hours, sharing our life stories with a Maaza under a banyan tree to the night shopping to Big Bazaar for our mid night snacks…. We were definitely having fun.

Finally, the last night….. when these little ones started letting out their tears with, “We want more days”, “We will miss our friends”. The moment of ultimate satisfaction.

YES!!!. This was a success!!!.  

The night was spend with taking photographs, exchanging numbers, promising to meet in Facebook, anthaksharis, mimics and everything they could come up with.

The final day….!!!! When everyone packed their bags and was ready to leave, we promised and hoped to keep in touch and to meet the same gang with some new members the next year. 

I don’t know whether every child benefited from this, but ‘m sure at least one did.

At least one learned to share, to be happy with what they have, to feel blessed, to be confident, to appreciate others, to speak out without fear, to live out of their parents wings, to understand that people do care for them, the sweetness of relation, the feeling of missing each other,  and ultimately, to love and to be there for one another.

Because we personally did all this when we were trying to teach you, little ones.

The relations, the people around you, the opportunities, smiles and tears, nothing is permanent. You'll miss them one day, but till then enjoy everything given to you. And even when this world is not that beautiful it is definitely worthy to live.

P.S.   To, my Manana Sweethearts. 

Be good to everyone whether they are white, black, gray, young, old or anyone. And Smile inspite of the negatives around you. Then you'll have the best personality.

Definitely miss the time spend with you all.  

Love u kids.

P.S.S.  Children do know to fake a smile, but when you reach out to them you could make a difference in them.

God blez.

J