The St Anne's school sacristans, together with STEPP, initiated a project last week to pray for the safe return of the school girls kidnapped in Nigeria.
On Wednesday 14 June, the girls tied yellow ribbons around an oak tree and on the school gates. The idea of tying ribbons was inspired by the popular '70s song with lyrics about tying a yellow ribbon round the 'ole oak tree' to let a prisoner know he was welcome to return home. In this case, they symbolise hope for the safe return of the school girls and act as a reminder for us to continue to pray for this cause.
The girls requested a special chapel service to be held on Friday morning and the sacristans led the whole school in prayer for the release of the Nigerian girls. Over 200 candles were lit on the alter, one for each captive girl, in the hope that their prayers will be answered.
The girls of St Anne's want to encourage other schools, as well as the broader community, to join them in prayer and tie ribbons as a reminder to continue to pray for the safe return of the school girls and all the families affected by this desperate situation.