It takes nine months for a baby to be born, six months for it to crawl, ten months for it to say a word and a whole year to walk and seven long years for me to write an article. Every day in the Movement is just like being born again or like new rising sun, but certain events keep lingering in the minds for a very long time. The first day in the movement is like a fresh garden, as if it all happened few days ago. As a baby comes out of his/ her mother’s womb, which does not know, the external environment and begins to cry, in the same way I was surrounded by strangers as I entered the hall, which was packed with the students who had the same fear as I had. Fr. Joseph Victor (Jovi) was the diocesan chaplain and Gajapathy was the full timer then.
Gajapathy was the first YCS/YSMer whom I met; he was kind, affectionate and a lovable person with ever smiling face. I shall always thank god for meeting him, for he inspired me with his experience in the movement. After a year or two when I showed my full involvement back to the movement, while I was in STD XII, there again I met Gajapathy who won the hearts of many of the students and animators. During that one day session the first half was more about the history of the movement and the subsequent second half was more about friendship and relationship which helped each and every student who turned up for the session. At the end of the day’s session I was elected as a DECO Member and the president of the DTS Team. When I was elected as a president I became more responsible as it helped me to bring out my leadership qualitites and inspired me to know more about the society and taught me that this is what life holds for us. It developed my individual personality and gave a sense of meaning to my life.
We went to UTHIRAMERUR for a village exposure camp in December’99 that helped me to bring out all my talents was I had to plan things and organize programs punctually. The exposure and the visit to the families made me thank god for all the gift I’ve got, because I was able understand how people suffer without electricity and how they work in fields without footwear. And even the porridge they drink happily but we waste food.
Each program that was organized during that academic year wa s anew experience which helped me learn from my mistakes. Being a president and organizing programs together with the team and office bearers helped me to learn and grow as a responsible leader. All this is possible because of our Methodology AWARENESS-REFLECTION-ACTION-EVALUATION that I always wanted to follow in my life.
The most memorable moment in my life was the VII ASC which took place in June 2000 IN Chennai at SIGA. I was part of the LOC. Each day of the council was a new and enriching experience, though we had our own struggles we learnt how to overcome them without hurting anyone. Being with the members from various cultures all over Asia was one of the most interesting and a learning process. Every occasion of encounter with our members gives me a sense of belonging to a human family. Even after several years you meet you still have the same friendship blood.
The most important thing about the movement and the real good thing is that I was really able to spot the real good set of friends who were hidden around me and were always with me for several months together. After a few days in the movement my friends were able to see some changes in me, and it really had its own effect on some of my juniors who were in the movement. All this is possible because of my animator Mr. Tharcius and our loving full timer. Their support and encouragement always has a word of praise. They always stand by me despite various hurdles.
And I also want to thank Sr. Margaret and Saranya, for motivating me to write this article. As I know 1 – Ounce of experience when shared with 100 people becomes 100 ounces of knowledge. Now it gives me great pleasure that a tiny drop of my experience would turn into mighty ocean of knowledge in this ‘Search’.
Mr. Sydney Chapman
EX-YCS / YSMer,
Chennai Diocese