Our program for today as scheduled: participation in the MONAS (monument national - it is a national sports day, which takes place every Friday morning and made us all get up really(!!!) early), visits to 2 schools, and swimming in the afternoon.

The reality, however was slightly different - 2 schools; the rest of our plans got quite literally washed away...

Abhishek, our Indonesian coordinator

The first school we visited was the Santa Ursula School in Central Jakarta. We were greeted extremely enthusiastically, first by 2 very sweet traditional dancers and a whole little theatre performance, then by a big hall full of eagerly singing kids.

The program, which had been put together by the school under its principal, Sister Christine left us with little to add: their introduction of the goals of the WHR was perfect, followed by a beautiful song and poem about peace and our own presentation.

The children really enjoyed the World Harmony Run video, especially some shots of runners in the snow...

All the kids offered a wish for harmony!

'Live in harmony, united in one heart and one will.' (St. Angela) This is the poem that each runner was presented with, which clearly shows that the message of peace and harmony is universal and the same everywhere.

A run around the school, fortunately in the dry...

When we left, we were barely able to still carry the flags, the WHR-banner and the torch, due to the many presents we had been showered with: a beautiful traditional pen, batik fabric and orchids for each one of us, as well as a delicious buffet.

The kids prepared a big WHR Banner!

The second school was the Smp Junior High School Tarakanita 1 in South Jakarta.

On entering, the team was still quite dry, in spite of the heavy rains that had already started to flood the streets. When we left, however, it was only due to the considerate help of the school's staff that we did not have to wade through waist-deep rain water streaming in and out of the school.

Mr. Heru, the principal, had organized a nice reception for us: a large choir, accompanied by a group of very talented guitar players and a whole hall full of enthusiastic teenage pupils.

He also presented us with a huge(!), beautiful trophy and some very tasty snacks.

Thanks to everybody for the great day!

Indonesian Team Members:

Prince Dipo, Princess Febry, Abhishek, Jyoti, Farah, Yayuk, Ayu, Agus, Masmanik, Artini, Adi Arini, Manik Darsini, Wayan Purna, Dayu Aryati 

Team Members:
Dipavajan and Apaga Renner (Austria), Marjan Jauk (Slovenia), Angela Muhs (Germany), Sandro Zincarini (Italy) and Michaela Pokorna (Czech Republic)

Gallery: See more images!