6 pm: driving straight from the airport through the heavy rush hour traffic, we arrive just on time for the evening prayers at house Sf. Lazar. An important ritual and an effective way to allow the youngsters to gather their spirits when coming "home" from their day life on the street before getting a warm meal, some clean clothing and a shelter for the night.
Tonight there are some 60 of them sitting side by side, listening to the day´s scriptures and to the comments prepared by one of them, singing wholeheartedly and by heart some of the religious songs from their impressive repertoire, naming and praying aloud for their loved ones, their friends, their educators or their family before heading for the dining-room where their peers on duty serve dinner to all of us.
By the way: tonight, they are 60. Tomorrow, they could be 100. You never know exactly. It can depend on so many things: the season, the weather, a friend, a mood. Neither does one know how long they will stay: it could be just one night, or two, or through the entire winter. Concordia´s aim is give them a chance: a chance to adapt in a community, get a sense of family life, go back to school and change their attitude towards life, if not their entire life. But in spite of all the disadvantages and dangers that the street offers, the attraction of street life and freedom, which they have got used to for weeks, months or years is often much stronger than a warm meal, a bed and a "home"......and they are so used to being ill-treated, disappointed and let down that it is extremely difficult to give them some kind of confidence back, get them to trust others, themselves, and trust life altogether as being able to bring them some positive experience.
And this is exactly what this dance project is about!
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