Much Thanksgiving has been happening among the Dondi network of participants and supporters. It's been an incredible experience to work at making national links while generating local events for an international project.
I'm going to let the results speak for themselves. Christine Cullen has culled comments from various events across the country as follows...
Westminster, Regina, Saskatchewan - We had 7 university students from the Ukraine join our group which added a different dimension and spark.
Central, Brandon, Manitoba - A special bond was formed between some drummers as we kept the beat going. We found it really special when we were all on the drumbeat together at the times when all across the country was on. We enjoyed the one on one time together as well when others weren't there and we were the lone occupants of the Auditorium - it is pretty large and we felt quite small but significant!!
Grace, Barrie, Ontario - Seeing how much delight a young man with Down Syndrome from a local group home was having banging out rhythms with Boomwhackers on the floor! He even added vocalizations expressing his pleasure (sort of like the sounds some African women make--ululations?). Another gentleman from the same group home played a mean set of spoons on his leg!
Zion, Carnarvon, Ontario - One of Zion’s more senior members sat down and drummed for 4 hours, remembering his ‘younger days’ playing a flute in a marching band. Another senior member came Friday night and returned twice during Saturday, because she was so enjoying the smiles and fellowship around the circle. One came at 1 p.m. for 2 hours and was still there drumming at 7 p.m. New acquaintances were welcomed. Some learned about the energy generated through rhythm. Some learned how to ‘keep up with the beat’ and relax into the rhythm surrounding them. Some watched in amazement as technology brought the world into our little circle through the Web. All found the experience uplifting and exciting.
Trinity, Bobcaygeon, Ontario - We enjoyed the video link in our sanctuary. Had a few drop-ins who joined in for the fun. A teen who gave us a worship song on his guitar. Plus one woman who'd never been in our church before. Then most of us went and joined in the church's float for the Fall Fair Parade. What fun! My eighty year old dad said it was the most fun he'd had in a long time! Others agreed.
Pickering Village, Ajax, Ontario - Dr. George Burgess was a medical missionary in Angola for many years and ran the clinic in Dondi and established many others. We were blessed by the attendance of his sister, Helen Doidge Hall at our drumathon. After the drumathon, she wrote: “I wanted to thank you for taking on this project. And thanks to the Scouts for their enthusiastic drumming, and for everyone who took part in this effort. Rebuilding this school is a key step in building a strong future for countless young people, and extending a hand of friendship from Canada to Angola.. My brother would be proud of our efforts, and I'm sure had he been able to attend we would all have been the recipients of one of his famous "big hugs". You have my heartfelt thanks, Helen.”
Westminster, Mississauga, Ontario - Most of our drummers were first time drummers and really enjoyed the experience.
Oxbow/Alameda, Oxbow, Saskatchewan - Approximately 40 people came out to drum on Friday night. Youth group stayed up all night keeping the drum beat going. Men served breakfast in the morning. One of our church members came Sat. morning and demonstrated how to dance with scarves to the drum beat. Ended the day with a potluck supper.
Cordova Bay, Victoria - Had a good kick-off with some 15 drummers from our Youth Groups. Throughout the night we always had at least three drummers, and during the day on Saturday we reached as high as 10 drummers. Two senior youth were present for the full 24 hours. We also welcomed drummers from Duncan United and from Garden City United.
Knox, Didsbury, Alberta - We ended up with 20 drummers, including children. Four young folk came and kept the drums going from midnight to 3 am, and one of the mothers came then and drummed till 5 am, when a Dad came for a couple of hours. So we endeavoured to be sure no one was ever left drumming alone for more than 4 or 5 minutes. From time to time I sang a couple of Umbundu songs I remembered from childhood.
St. James, St. John’s, Newfoundland - We had a lot of groups help keep the beat going for the 24 hours. The Youth group took the overnight shift. Representatives from Girl Guides, Shriners, and the Red Hat Society took turns, as well as our Children's Choir, Youth Choir, Drama Group, Drama Tots, UCW and AOTS. Local Drummer Daniel Murphy came and helped out for the full 24 hours helping participants with technique and confidence. We even had a birthday party for a 4 year old as part of the event. Our drummers ranged in age from 2 to 80+.
Grace, Barrie, Ontario - Officially the drumathon went very well, smaller than I had hoped but still we had representation from a number of communities around Barrie. A youth drum group from the high school in Alliston provided their talents on Friday evening, along with the minister from nearby Crown Hill. As well, we had visits from a group home for adults with special needs in Bradford. On the Saturday, again the attendance was sporadic, but enthusiastic. A lad who had just moved to Barrie from Calgary stayed with us for most of the day, acting as facilitator, We had never met him before. As well the group home came back. For people who supposedly have special needs, they were, we discovered rich in special gifts. Musically two in particular, both in their forties, were perhaps the most musically adroit of the whole group. In fact they led the group at times. Their sense of joy and wonder left me with probably my best memory of the event.
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