South Africa 26 October: Johannesburg - Mayfair and Melville
Tuesday 26 October - Johannesburg
Mayfair Convent Primary School
At Mayfair Convent School we were greeted by the school running team.
The early morning light and world harmony torch gave the whole scene an otherworldly nature.
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We were all happy to have a few moments to chat with the school team and to plan the entrance
Mayfair Convent is a beautiful old school that has been looked after very well.
Then the school running team lead us into a full assembly of the school.
After a short introduction to the World Harmony run and the places the torch has been...
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The theme song by the World Harmony runners was presented
We had a moment to feel peace and harmony in our hearts together.
A number of the runners remembered the school from their visit in 2008 and spoke about the international spirit that had been present at the time.
It was especially meaningful to return to the schools today with the Harmony Run banner showing support for the UN and UNESCO special 2010 "International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures" (IYRC), which celebrates the coming together of people and cultural diversity.
During the program we had fun giving hints to our countries
..And the school guessing which countries the runners represent.
We were treated to two phenomenal performances by the school choir in the beautiful square.
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A group recitation beautifully and powerfully shared the spirit of the day
The performances included all kinds of rythmic movements and dances.
The teachers had an opportunity first to hold the WHR torch.
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Then the children showed tremendous delight and enthusiasm when it was their turn to hold the torch and make a wish for world harmony.
The school really made an impression on all the runners.
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The children were extremely well behaved but they could still have fun and share their joy. They gave much of this spirit of enthusiasm and joy to all those observing!
Bephelo-Impilo Primary School.
After Mayfair Convent we ran down the Mayfair streets in the direction of Bephelo-Impilo Primary School.
When we weren't sure of which direction to go one of the students joined the team and ran with the South African flag at the head of the team. We soon found the school.
Some very interested and curious individuals greeted us.
Our presentation to this school was relatively informal.
We shared some history about the run, a little about the founder Sri Chinmoy's vision in 1987 and how it has grown to include over 140 countries.
We were able to experience Harmony and Peace together for a few minutes.
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The World Harmony run theme song was introduced
Some of the students joined in and then shared one of their songs.
We had time to answer very interesting questions from some older students present.
We were particularly impressed with how quickly they guessed where the team members came from and the interest in some of the logistics of the run.
Outside again, the children had some fun as they held the torch and made a wish for world harmony.
The smiles and the expressed wishes, hopes and dreams for peace and harmony are what inspire the runners.
We cherish these sweet moments in our hearts traveling from school to school and country to country carrying this torch and message of friendship between various communities.
Afterwards we visited Bree Primary School.
This unique school whose teachers and students represented many different nations and cultures enthralled the World Harmony Run team.
We shared some moments of peace and harmony together
Especially relevent was An excerpt from the message from Davidson Hepburn, President of the General Conference of UNESCO, to all the participants of the World Harmony Run in 2010
"There is great value in bringing together different kinds of people, different forces, different views, different religions, and different beliefs....
"It is indeed an excellent opportunity to develop an appreciation of diversity through art, culture and sports. This communal sharing of our hopes and dreams is fundamental for building the foundations of peace and harmony.
"I support and encourage initiatives like the World Harmony Run that touch and inspire people's hearts and put values of diversity, dialogue, and understanding so central to UNESCO's work into action.''
Link to full message of President Davidson Hepburn here: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/unesco_year/davidson_hepburn_unesco_message
Other messages further described the significance of 2010 and the Run.
The teachers all had a chance to make a wish for world harmony or peace as the torch was passed around. The message of building peace, international understanding and harmony was beautifully reinforced by a senior teacher coordinating the day.
As they were leaving the program many others were able to hold or touch the torch.
We were then on to the next school carrying the added inspiration from our new friends at Bree Primary.
Sparrow Foundation School
At 11:30am we ran into Sparrow Foundation School where the whole school was waiting for the runners on the school field with a local reporter.
This students at Sparrow Foundation loved the actions to Sri Chinmoy's World Harmony Run Song.
Everyone caught on quite quickly and the joy increased as we all began to feel like we are the "oneness and fullness of tomorrow's sun"
Passing the torch was appreciated by many.
Older students and some teachers joined in for a final picture with the 2010 Harmony Run banner and torch.
We came away feeling fulfilled after the varied experiences of this very full day.
Here is a link to a sowetan Newspaper article from 27 Oct 2010: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2010/10/27/runners-on-72-000km-world-peace-mission
Southern Africa Region - Harmony Run 2010 reports and photos:
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South Africa, 25 Oct: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/sa/news/2010/1025a
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South Africa, 26 Oct: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/sa/news/2010/1026
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Botswana, 27 Oct: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/botswana/news/2010/1027
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Namibia, 29 Oct: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/namibia/news/2010/1029
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Zimbabwe, 31 Oct: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/zimbabwe/news/2010/1031
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Zambia, 01Nov: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/zambia/news/2010/1101
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Zimbabwe, 05 Nov: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/zimbabwe/news/2010/1105
Distance: 10 km
Team Members:
Balarka Robinson (Zimbabwe), Dhiraja Barney McBryde (New Zealand), Steve Polykarpou (RSA/Cyprus), Shree Chirkoot (RSA), Making (Democratic Republic of Congo), Adhiratha Keefe (USA), Abhijatri Robinson (Zimbabwe)
Gallery: See more images!
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