Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do"
Entering the SRP Carnival was definitely not filled with the "Disney Magic". There were no characters to greet you or exciting music playing in the air. There were no views of a castle or a parade down Main St. The rides were not shiny with exciting things to look at as you waited in line. But somehow despite all the this, the SRP Carnival was just as magical for our 2nd Grading Period Honor Roll Winners.
For over three months now, the children have been dreaming (and even begging) to go to a Carnival. Just as the song says they believed "anything your heart desires will come to you." Well on this particular Tuesday afternoon the dreams of the Honor Roll winners did come true!
These children don't often see their dreams come true. These are the children that society tells they can't or they won't. At Hope for Tomorrow we teach the children that they are important, they are loved, and they can become more. Today we celebrated the fact that they CAN and they DID in the classroom!
As we entered the Carnival the kids were immediately in awe of all the fun rides and attractions. Everyone wanted to ride something different first. Since the Bumper Cars weren't yet open we decided that the Ferris Wheel would be the perfect way to start a fun afternoon (and it certainly was). The moment the kids stepped on the platform to load the cars the laughter and squeals filled the air. Once the Ferris Wheel began to spin the laughter from the cars erupted. Every time the cars came down the kids squealed, waved, and made some funny faces just for me and Cheryl (our teacher) to enjoy.
As the Ferris Wheel came to a stop the kids unloaded and immediately ran off to share their stories of ridding. They were now warmed up and anxious to ride the next ride. Up next...the Flying Bee and the Roller Coaster!
The Flying Bee was definitely not a thrill ride but it was a thrill that they workers actually got it going! That's right, the kids loaded onto the ride and then sat for over five minutes while the workers fixed the motor to get it started. I'm sure this wasn't the best sign but luckily everything worked out. The ride got going and the kids had fun (but we definitely didn't ride it again)!
On to the Roller Coaster!! This Roller Coaster wasn't really a Roller Coaster (but we didn't tell the kids). It wasn't filled with hills and loops but it was filled with excitement and screams as the ride took off! As the Roller Coaster went round and round the screams got louder and the laughs got stronger. Oh what fun these kids were having!
Even though it was getting dark and the hour was getting closer and closer to dinner time the kids weren't ready to stop! What's a visit to a Carnival without a fun snack?!? Mango Shakes for everyone!!! A Mango Shake is essentially the Philippine version of an Icee (but way tastier and with real fruit)!!
Before our fun evening of celebration came to an end there was a last stop at the Bumper Cars. The children had been eying them every since we came into the Carnival. Everyone ran to jump into the driver's seat. Unfortunately there weren't enough cars for everyone to drive their own but the kids were great at sharing the steering with their co-pilot!
This was the first time most of these children had ever had a chance to drive and they were so excited about it!! The moment the operator said "GO" they were off!! With every bump a laugh erupted from two cars. They would chase one another around the track just to possibly have the chance of bumping. They could not get enough of the Bumper Cars! The excitement from the kids was contagious! Everyone both on and off the ride could feel it. No one wanted this ride to come to an end!
It was so much fun to celebrate with these special kids. I am honored that God chose us to minister to these children and show them they they CAN and they DID! These children have achieved great heights in and out of the classroom this year. Tonight we celebrated their achievements in the classroom. Children who use to dream of going to school are now not only in school but at the top of their class. Children last year who sat on the back row and didn't want to be noticed are now on the front row and becoming the teacher's little helper. Children who never got to experience childhood are now getting chances to just be a kid! We are proud of our Honor Roll winners and can't wait to continue to celebrate the successes with these children as we cheer them on to new heights!
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