ERNEST Gibson could never be more happy being friends with the children of St Christopher’s Home.
In part, it was their company which landed him the Global Citizenship Award last week, something the Year 10 student of International School Suva never dreamt of.
Describing the award the website earcos.og, states it is presented to a student who embraces the qualities of a global citizen , this student is a proud representative of his/her nation while respectful of the diversity of other nations.
“The school asks one student every year to try and apply for this and I filled a one-page application form — the community that I will be servicing and the reason I want to and I sent one for St Christopher’s Home,” Ernest said.
“This is basically just teaching them to read, play games with them and make friends with them.
“First we set up a meeting with the sister-in-charge, Sister Kalolaini and she told us some of the problems these students face because most of them come from neglected families, families where they have been abused and the one thing that they really need was children who are willing to be their friends because otherwise they feel lonely.”
Ernest then sent the application and the results came back last week.
When his name was announced during the school’s assembly last Friday, Ernest was at first shocked. Ernest was however also happy because he believes the residents of St Christopher’s Home will be among those who reap the rewards of his hard work.
“Along with this award, I got a $US500 ($F913) grant which will help me a lot in the project that will be carried out at the school,” Ernest explained.
“The three things that we really want to do with them is that, firstly, we will start reading with them.
“This was based on research where we find out that parents need to read to their children but because these children do not have parents this is why we preferred to conduct this reading program with them.
“The second is to talk to them about their future and their aspirations and what they like because if you know what you want to do, then you have a goal to work towards, a lot of kids — it will be good for them.
“The third one is just to be their friends. It’s a challenge to get to work with these children, but when you meet them they are lovely children.”
Last week, the school had a production, the Addams Family, and 10 children from the home were invited to watch the show.
“This award is dedicated to these children because they are an inspiration to this and they are the ones we really want to help.
“We had our first classes with them last week. Once the grant comes through then we will start with all other programs at the home going every Thursday from 3.30 to 5pm.
“I would also like to thank mum and dad — Fanny and Lionel Gibson for their great support and the school as well because I had to apply through the school,” a smiling Ernest said.
