While Matthew was happy with pingpong, Daniel and Luke with badminton, Paul and David's preference was actually swimming. They told me that when Fei Gin used to drive them to a private swimming pool at Bukit Beruang for free swimming sessions and lessons. After her, Albert P also brought the boys there a few times and even swam with them. Later, when he was stressed up running between his school and the CCH, the boys had no chance to step into the swimming pool for the whole year of 2009.
As I joined in as a "full-time" volunteer, Albert continues to focus on his study programme with the boys while I help to run some "feel-at-home" programme for them. After I knew their wish to resume their swimming sessions, I had been bringing up the matter every time I had a discussion with Albert about the children's weekend activities. As he was very occupied by his work in school especially in January, we never fixed an exact date. Two Saturdays ago, we almost made it. But on the eve only I was informed that the boys were invited to a wedding ceremony at church the next morning. David was disappointed that this swimming outing had been postponed again.
Last Saturday morning, they had to attend school for a replacement class. So I went to CCH only after 2pm. Joseph who was studying at Montfort Youth Centre was back to spend his three-week break there. Albert and I were supposed to bring the boys for a short outing. As we were thinking where to go, I reminded him again of the swimming so that he contacted Fei Gin to find out what time free entrance to the swimming pool was available.
When David heard that, he said, "The Uncle knows me. When he sees me, he'll let us go in."
Fei Gin confirmed that we could go there at anytime. So David, Paul, Daniel and Joseph happily packed their towels and swimming trunks. Luke only had short pants. Isaac thought he would use the fitness equipment there. John was not interested in swimming but still joined all of us who left with two cars.
Joseph was the only older CCH boy who jumped into the swimming pool.
Then I noticed Daniel
and Luke
were a bit reserved at first. But once they paired up,
two wrestling stars were born!
Among the CCH boys, Paul no doubt cared his appearance most. Even when I called him for a quick photograph session, he did not forget to immerse his hair in the water to make it stylish before posing in front of my camera.
My eyes had been searching for David. After awhile, I finally recognized this future Michael Phelps with his goggles who was swimming like a fish.
He was very keen to perform for me a water ballet with a leg
and both legs.
When he partnered with his brother,
another wrestling game started!
The CCH boys were no longer swimming. Instead, they treated the pool as a wrestling ring where they were practising different types of grappling techniques
to gain a physical advantage over their opponent.
Their clinching and pinning in the water began to attract the pool owner's attention. Two times he blew his whistle and called David's name to stop them when he judged it dangerous. After some time, the boys seemed to be out of energy for wrestling
but they still enjoyed very much staying in the water after one year's absence from the swimming pool.
Unfortunately, Albert needed to leave early that day. So he suddenly made an annoucement beside the pool. Everybody heard "Attention please..." and temporarily paused to seriously listen to Albert who said with his grave voice, "We're leaving in ten minutes, please get ready..." until he repeated that "this is to the Calvary Care Home boys only". When other swimmers realizing that they were not concerned, they went on with their activities.
Even though the outing only lasted about an hour, the boys were back to the Care Home satisfied. I was very glad that after "pestering" Albert for weeks, we finally managed to fulfill our promise to the boys.
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