The children orphanage at COSI, Cambodia, was abuzz with activity early this morning. The 136 children were rehearsing for the inaugural run4COSI event, a fund raising run to sponsor graduating children to pursue higher education under PCOSIIP. The team from Pentecost Methodist Church was helping with the deployment of road marshals, tag coordinators and medical teams.
The first group to flag off at 6:30 am was for children aged 12 and under. After a short prayer, the children sprinted off, some with shoes, but most without - just running barefooted or in their flip flops.
It is said that there's nothing purer than to see young children run. For the one kilometer they cover, it was pure joy all the way. TH, the lead runner for this group testified that it was an all-out dash for him, and he could just barely keep ahead of the children.
The second group of older children - running two km - flagged off shortly after the first group returned. A much larger group, one could see the competitive spirit within them. HY, the lead runner for the second group was glad that he kept fit from his IPPT and marathon training, for the kids were really fast.
As the sweeper for the second group, I was pleasantly surprised to see a few shoes discarded on the side of the dirt track. The kids just decided that it was faster to run barefooted. (The house parents picked up the shoes after the race!)
There were only a few small puddles of water from the rain the night before. The rain sufficiently cooled down the temperature, but not so much as to render the dirt track wet and difficult to run. It was a really pleasant morning for a run.
At the finish line, kids had gathered to cheer and welcome their returning friends. It was heart warming.
All the kids had a big smile on their faces. To most, this was their first experience at a running event, and I'd bet not their last.
Narak, a new boy who entered the orphanage just a few months ago, was beaming from ear-to-ear. He had come in third (or fourth), and he's only 9 years old. Who knows, he could be groomed to become a good runner. Narak is now a sponsored child (by MBH and yours truly). Pix of Narak crossing the finish line below
The smiles were out again in the afternoon, when the results of the trial run were announced after the PCOSIIP awards ceremony. The top five boys and girls in the two categories received prizes. The top boy house (dorm) and the top girl house, as well as the overall top house were announced. Instead of medals, the prizes were edible goodies/snacks. And it was clear which was more valued by these kids.
Special thanks to race director SS, staff of COSI and the young adult team from PMC.
I think this is the start of a running tradition.
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