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Report By: Sr. Berna Rodrigues

Goa Region, Sep. 26: The new academic year 2011 – 2012 began and with it, the activities of the YCS/YSM. A meeting was conducted for the Animators of South and North Zone of Goa respectively to plan the Annual Activities of the Movement in the clusters. One meeting was conducted for the Heads of the Institutions of South and North Zone respectively to give them an outline of the nature, spirituality, vision, orientation, aims and objectives of the movement. One day orientation programme was organized for the new animators of the YCS/YSM. The meetings were conducted by Fr. Olavo Caiado (Regional Chaplain) and Sir Mathew D’souza.

From the month of June to September 2011 there has been 12 fellowship programmes organized among the students. This fellowship programmes included Prayer Services, Ice breakers, Role Play, Sessions, Songs, Dances etc. The theme taken for this year is “Covenant between Human Beings and Creation – Divine Love’s Manifestation”.  Each fellowship programme highlighted some aspect of the theme either in the form of song, dance, role play and short sessions. The students have seen, judged and acted on the following topics: - Importance of Tree, Importance of water, Plastic, Mining, Global Warming, Pollution, Rights of Children, Values and Conservation of Wild Life with special reference to snakes wherein the students were allowed to hold snakes.

The fellowship programmes were well organised. An evocative Prayer Service related to the theme sets the ball rolling for the fellowship. The students were vibrant and energetic during the action songs. They interacted freely at the time of ice breaker and group work.  Children displayed their creativity and it was mainly seen in their informative Role Plays on the topics Environment and Values. Sr. Berna Rodrigues tried to be present for most of the fellowships and facilitated the programme.

The Animators made use of Power Point Presentations and their presence made the fellowship fruitful. One cluster brought out the theme beautifully through Posters and exchanged poster among schools present as a reminder of saving our environment.

The fellowship programmes gave the students a platform to be confident, display their talents of singing, dancing, acting, playing musical instruments etc. They were also able to develop their leadership qualities. Great awareness had been created in the students as to how to save their environment in small ways at their homes, schools and vicinity.

Fellowships ended up with evaluation and suggestions for the following fellowship programmes.