Reconstructions after cyclone Thane
Our team from Volontariat – Pondicherry, India consisted of 9 members, 7 children and 2 adults. We were invited by La Voix de l’Enfant to participate in the Fraternity Cup 2011 for support its Federation on the promotion of the Children’s rights. There were 112 children and their educators from 12 countries (including France, organizer country) gathered in Paris to participate in 10 days of educative, cultural and leisure activities, around the Football Tournament.
We were warmly welcomed by the whole team of La Voix de l’Enfant, including the former and present Directors and the Coordinator and we were taken utmost with care each and every day along with all delegations.
Our Volontariat Indian team had a very nice experience with the participants from all over the world, they shared with us a lot of things, specially the teams of Japan, Bosnia and South Africa, and the different cultures, languages etc. Except few, most of them had spoken English, so it was easy for us to communicate.
Our children have participated in music and drawing competitions in morning session. And in the afternoon, we played the football matches. The 14 teams were divided into 2 groups: India was in the Group I, along with Argentina which gained the Cup. We played 6 matches in our group and we won 2, draw 1 and lost 3. So at the end of the group standings, we were placed 3rd in our group out of 7 teams. Since it is first time to play a big tournament, our children got trained for only 3 months, they performed very well in the competition, so it was a very good and logical result for us. It was also nice to have an exchange of one player with South Africa [which was accompanied by a Indian origin training Officer] for some matches. On considering the winner players from Argentina, they are trained in clubs and from the age of 5, they are practicing football, so we are unable to match with them. But against the remaining teams our children played well. At the end of the final match, with the presence of Presidents of Marseille and Paris committees and 2 children’s sponsors, they had given trophies and medals for each team. So our children are delighted on receiving the trophies.
We also visited Paris, the capital of France: they took us in the main streets (Champs Elysées, La Madeleine, etc) and in Paris City Hall (Mairie), Louvre Museum and Planetarium. President of Paris committee was kind to take us to Tour de Eiffel, Montmartre Church and Seine River and explained each and everything what we have seen. We went in Metro for different places and for shopping and children loved very much the journey along the Metro.
The travels by flight were the first time for our whole delegation, everybody enjoyed and no one slept during the flight. They adjust with the food as well as in Paris Hotel.
Overall it was well organized by La Voix de l’Enfant for all the delegations and it was an successful event for us. We thank everybody very much to give us the opportunity to open our mind and eyes to other people, other culture, other languages, etc.
Ganesh, accompanying adult
