Newsy Vents

Topics included manners, kindness, happy children handle conflict without violence, and initiative. Over a thousand children benefitted from hearing positive and uplifting messages to help them in their life transformation to adulthood. Most of the children were well versed in the English language because the International schools are committed to global education with one mission: to educate generations of students who will be fully integrated, functioning, contributing and responsible world citizens in the global community of the 21st century. For the students needing an interpreter, Mr. Hon interpreted in Cantonese and Mandarin. The children interacted well during the shows and in questions that followed afterward. Of course, they enjoyed shaking hands with Matthew and posing for pictures. Each school was given a photograph as a souvenir of the visits. Dr. Frank Moody, Assistant Principal, presented Bob "Deputy Bob" of the International Schools, a flag of China.

While the visiting performers instructed their audiences in character lessons, their Chinese counterparts gave Bob and Matthew an education as well in the Chinese way of life. For example: The Chinese have a saying that to become a man you should climb the Great Wall of China or you are not a man. In other words, you are not brave enough. Bob's ventriloquist figure, Matthew, left the United States a boy but returned a man. He climbed the Great Wall of China.

Bob and Matthew received a warm reception everywhere they performed. One principal, Madame Luk, was gracious and kind in treating Walsh and his Chinese friend to meals throughout their stay, providing amiable interaction with her staff and providing their transportation needs. Upon their departure, she said, "Some people have no connection from above even when they live close by, they will never be friends. We are friends even though we’re far away. Someday friendship will bring us together again no matter how far away."

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