This is one of my favourite Jamaican proverbs meaning we may be small but we’re strong-willed, determined and fearless. Last weekend, it came to mind while watching the DESS students take part in the British International Schools Qatar (BISQ) games.
BISQ was the hurriedly-put-together and brilliantly-executed sports competition in response to local schools being banned from the BSME games (British Schools in Middle East). The embargo was due to the blockade against Qatar by some of its Gulf neighbours.
In previous years, DESS excelled at the BSME small school games but at BISQ 13 schools of all sizes were brought together. DESS may have been one of the smaller schools participating but they definitely showed their ‘tallawah-ness’ in capturing overall silver.
I am immensely proud of my older son who took part in 3 of the 4 disciplines: Athletics, Basketball and Football. In addition there was Swimming and the girls did Netball instead of Basketball and garnered gold. These are achievements worthy of celebration to be sure, yet, there is so much more to be proud of:
Leadership – the Head Teacher and other teachers came along to support the students
Dedication – of the PE teachers in training and supporting the participants – not to be taken for granted as we witnessed staff from other schools deriding and insulting their charges
Sponsorship – from local firms whether on swimming towels or sports bags or participants’ t-shirts/jackets – this engendered a sense of identity and pride which gave our gals and guys a psychological edge
Preparation – a friend with kids at another school commented that their football team had only practiced a couple of times. And another friend with children at a different school mentioned that her daughter only knew which field events she was doing on the day of the event. At DESS, the kids had been training and taking part in tournaments since October.
Parental Support – As a working-outside-the-home mother, I often feel on the periphery as I can’t join in the after- drop-off work outs or coffees. Despite this, I have always felt the support of the fellow mums of my older son’s class. And I’m forging similar bonds with the mums of my younger son’s class.
However this weekend, by virtue of wearing the supporter t-shirt, I felt part of a wider group, a tribe and it brought to mind that other quote I love ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ So when my son or others were inconsolable after placing 2nd in the basketball, other parents rushed in with words of comfort and support. It was a goose-bump inducing experience to see how chanting/cheering by parents and team mates boosted the spirits of a child in an event where she was being outpaced by her competitors.
Yet above all – the kids, our kids! Words fail to describe that winning mélange of talent, experience, teamwork and resilience shown by our children as they performed to the best of their abilities. They are truly deserving of all the accolades and the trophies.
What were your most memorable moments of the BISQ games?
