A Trip to the Land of Virtues

Akino Ogawa :- The Durgapur Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service organized a Summer Camp from 31st May to 2nd June, 2011 for the slum children of the seven Child Development Centres of Adra, Asansol, Bankura, Durgapur, Purulia, Sarenga and Mankar. 

The Inaugural Programme started with Worship and Praise conducted by Revd. Swagata Das and an English song presented by the children of the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre. After the welcome address of the President of the DWFCS, Mrs. Rita Dutta, the lamp was lit by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, the guests and teachers. 

The theme: Sowing Seeds of Virtue” was unveiled through a short skit presented by the teachers from different centres. It started with our Bishop providing an interesting introduction which set the scene for the skit to be enacted out. Reverend Amiya Das and Mrs. Santa Das were the highlights of the evening as the ‘King of Vices’ and ‘Queen of Virtues’. The fight that started between the ‘King of Vices’ and the ‘Queen of Virtues’ to establish one’s supremacy ended out to be a triumphant one for the ‘Queen of Virtues’, who took the children for ‘A Trip to the Land of Virtues’.  Around 150 children attended the Summer Camp and were divided into 5 groups namely: Frosty Maaza, Icy Gola, Cool Strawberry, Arctic Pepsi and Tasty Kulfi, each of the groups received a T-shirt as per the colour of their group’s name and a cap. Day two began with an early morning nature walk around the town of Durgapur, where the kids were told to identify and collect certain natural objects in order to understand their impact on the environment. The senior group was taken to Exalt Services Private Ltd. Park for hiking and trekking. The objects that the children collected during their hiking were used in a “Best out of Waste” Competition between the groups. The rest of the day was spent enjoying many varied craft activities based on the seven virtues. The cultural program in the evening was enjoyed by all; each centre had the opportunity to perform a dance or song. The children showed real talent and it was obvious to all that a lot of hard work and practice had gone into each and every performance. 

On day three, a rally was organised where the five groups displayed the Seven Virtues to the public. The large procession made its way through the neighbourhood holding their banners and craft work while singing the camp theme song: “Chutti Chutti Chutti, Kulfi Gola Frooty…” composed by Mrs. Santa Das. A Garden Gala Competition  was organized were the children presented the theme they learnt in the form of dance, song and recitation. In the evening there was a ceremony of giving thanks to all those who were involved and the announcement of the winning team and distribution of prizes to the winners and the runners-up. A trophy was given to the team Tasty Maaza for their outstanding performance. That night all children and teachers danced in a celebration camp fire. 

The Summer Camp turned out to be of great success under the guidance and leadership of Mrs. Rita Dutta, President of DWFCS, the hard work of our friends Akino Ogawa, Austin Spry, Emma Dalbi, Sally Lacy, teachers who worked tirelessly and Mrs. Archana Dey who crafted the entire programme. The theme intended to provide the children with basic moral instruction through fun and constructive activities. While many of the activities incorporated a biblical background, the lessons were inclusive of the various faiths represented by the children involved. The DWFCS is grateful to the Bishop, the Rt.Rev.Dr.Probal Kanto Dutta for his continuous support and guidance to make the programmes undertaken by the DWFCS, a success.