Today is a special day for the graduating students at St. Devi’s Academy. The Juniors planned a 3-4 hour celebration, a Farewell Party for the 37 seniors who will leave the school they have attended for 13 years. The girls looked like exotic flowers, dressed in colorful, fancy saris adorned with glitter. Most girls borrowed their outfits from friends or teachers. Saris are simply a long piece of cloth wrapped artfully around a girl, which makes them ‘one size fits all’. Our graduating girls took extra care with their hair, wore their best shoes and a lovelier group of girls I have never seen! The valedictorian, Barasha Adkihari, an intelligent, talented, pretty girl, gave a sincere farewell speech prompting each graduate to do his or her very best when they go into the next phase of their lives and pursue higher education. Devi Tamsang, principal of St. Devi’s Academy, was honored for her dedication as were selected teachers. There were many musical performances, speeches, enthusiastic cheers, laughter, and of course food! It was obvious to me that the graduating students are a close-knit group of friends who won’t easily forget each other. Though this is the 7th farewell. Later, after the SLC exams have been taken and results posted, there will be a large program attended by family and friends where honors and awards will be presented for outstanding educational performance. For me, seeing our children finish our program is heart warming. The young people I saw today are very far removed from the little waifs who walked into the compound so many years ago.

I am proud but I am also concerned as they step out into the ‘real’ world. Like a mother I wonder if they have the maturity to make a wise career choice; will they have the discipline they need to make good decisions when there is no one to guide them; do they have a firm foundation and relationship with God? I cannot answer these questions but I can and will pray for them. I kindly ask that you do too.

graduating class, it’s my first opportunity to attend the annual