ST. JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, AGRIPADA: STD X - VALUE EDUCATION ORIENTATION
September 26,2012: At the invitation of the school Principal, Sr. Lovenia, the AVEC Team visited St. Joseph's High School, Agripada and animated a three and a half hour Value Education Orientation program for One Hundred and Sixty Five students of standard Ten. The theme for the program was 'Live Your Life by a Value Compass' and 'Reset your Life and Clock'. After a word of welcome by Sr. Lovenia, the session began with a prayer song 'Sarveshvaam Swastir Bhavatu'.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes took the time to introduce the students to a prayerful fantasy meditation that focused on one's breath and life. It really helped the students to relax and calm down too. He also introduced the activities of the AVEC and then introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe to the students. He also took the time to pick up a few quotes from Fr. Glenn's interview after he had donated his kidney to a fellow Salesian Priest.
Fr. Glenn Lowe divided the orientation in two sessions. The first session focused on the need to Reconstruct the Value Compass so as to give a new direction and purpose to one's life. Through a variety of teaching aids and personal testimonies and true life stories, he challenged the students to make a positive contribution to life and to society. Twelve Diamond Values were presented through various video clips, PowerPoint presentations, songs and time for personal and group interactions. The students were invited to look at life not as a 'race for survival' but as a 'realization for greater significance'.
In the latter half of the session, the students were invited to honestly look at the way they live their lives and on how they really invest their time. Through a very practical exercise, the students were invited to look at what is really important in their life that they were ready to live for, die for, stand for and fight for in life.They were then asked to plot out their normal clock map. "People who live significant lives are those who have the courage to align their 'life and their time'. The two have to sync or else your life and time will be fragmented, defocused and without purpose", he affirmed. Once you have the courage to reset your life and clock, then, change will begin and you can make a difference!
Many students came forward to write their appreciation in the AVEC Log book:
"He really made me M.A.D... Make A Difference!. The best guide I have met" Ansari Fazila X-A
"STD X is only a comma, not a full stop in the sentence of life. Fr. Glenn, you took away our burdens. We felt very happy when we heard that you were coming to our school once again. You have taught us something very valuable and we will never forget it even if we want too" - Rizpah R. Cardoza X-A Head Girl
"The session was really very rocking and valuable. Now, we can reset out life and life for others.. this is what Fr. Glenn taught us today. He really made us MAD - Make A Difference. Thanks a lot Father Glenn on behalf of std X-B" - Chowki Tejashwini X-B
"It really made us think of myself. I had really never thought of whats so important in my life and had never really spent time on it. Thanks a lot" - Aafreen Khan X-B
"I loved you session. I always wanted to attend such a session. Your session mane me think. It made a to change my thoughts, which would change my actions and life later, The message was great. I'd love to mention it to my friends and even on my blog. You inspired me a lot. Thanks for this session" - Hania Merchant X-C
"I already attended the last session for the Leaders. But this session really inspired me. After I came from my last session, I informed my friends about your session and they wanted to attend it too. Fr. Glenn really inspired us and is like a candle to light our life and give us a light for our path. We were informed about this session two months ago and we were looking forward to this day. Thanks for coming" - Afroz Partawala - Blue House Prefect X-C
"We are really thankful to you father Glenn, because you are the one who really helped us to find and give a direction to our life. Don't live because you are born, but be born to live anew, a message to be valued. You really made us MAD - To Make a Difference and Value Life. You have been a candle in our life to light the right path for us" - Prachi H.Kluthia X-B (Vote of Thanks)
"Congratulations to all the students of St. Joseph's High School, Agripada for your whole hearted cooperation all through this session and for the attentiveness and seriousness you took every point that was given this day. I pray God's blessings on you and on your future too. May the Lord bless your institution and its managements too. Live you life with passion, purpose and let your Value- Compass continue to direct you in life" - Fr. Glenford Lowe
