The Willows Montessori School in Bordeaux hosted two of South Africa’s recognised icons and great humanitarians, George Bizos and Lillian Cingo. Informally seated in the garden, the children gathered around their visitors and listened to their special stories.
Bizos spoke to pupils about his life’s journey – from growing up in a small village in Greece; his extraordinary journey to South Africa as a young boy; his struggles to be educated and to his work as a human rights lawyer.
It was a very emotional and heartwarming experience for all involved and the children, teachers and parents not only learned so much about South Africa’s past struggles, but also about the amazing changes that Bizos and his team brought about in South Africa as a whole.
At the end of his talk, Bizos read the first page of the Constitution and everything just seemed to fall into place.
Cingo shared stories of her childhood and her determination to persevere through the hardships and obstacles in her path to qualify as a neurosurgical nurse.
Having worked in London and being honoured in her chosen profession, she spoke of meeting with Queen Elizabeth and the late Princess Diana.
Cingo inspired the children to always strive to do their best, no matter the struggles encountered on their paths.
The children asked her many questions, which she patiently answered in her exuberant and heartwarming manner.
Bizos and Cingo left the pupils and staff inspired by their humanitarian ethos and their love, warmth and compassion for all people.
