End of kaytana party in Jerusalem

The festive evening began at 19.30 with a program animated by Claudia and Daniel, two of the three directors of the summer activities for children in the Saint James Vicariate. The third director, Sister Claudia, was busy directing the latecomers to their seats. The evening had as its goal sharing with the parents and friends what had gone on during the summer activities as a way of informing and thanking all those who had been involved.

The evening proceeded, beginning with the children singing two religious songs and then dancing in the different styles that had been used during the summer. Small groups of children also presented different styles of dance, beginning from the youngest, the three year olds, and proceeding to the older children who are ten. The older children impressed those present with their breakdance. Various groups of adults also presented songs and dances as a part of the program: notably the Ethiopian and Eritrean group and the Sri Lankans. Particularly colorful, was the dance of a member of the Sri Lankan community dressed up as a peacock.

The peak of the evening was the moment when the three year olds who had spent time in the day care at the Vicariate were called to receive their graduation hats and certificates from Father David, Latin Patriarchal Vicar. Eleven of the children who have frequented the day care will begin kindergarten at the beginning of September. The first one called was Blessy, a Filipina toddler, who was the first child taken into day care in July 2014. At that time, she was connected 24 hours a day to oxygen and she is now a happy and very energetic three year old.

All the activities were animated by the large group of volunteers who worked with the children throughout the six weeks of camp.

The evening ended, as always, with a sumptuous feast, prepared by the mothers. There was an abundance of food cooked according to Filipino, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Sri Lankan and Indian traditions. The evening ended with much joy and thanksgiving.