I read an article today about teaching, and about how there's always something else to be done- there's never a feeling at the end of a week/month/semester/year of "Man, I did a great job. We did everything we needed to do, and I gave everyone what they needed to succeed." Boy, can I relate to that. And it came on the tail of a message from one of my students, asking if I could help his older brother (another of my students).
So there's this one thing that's been a continuous burden to me since I returned home from teaching in Malawi. I know that I did a lot of great things, but I know that there were a lot of gaping holes in my self-designed curriculum and impartation of knowledge. I also know that since I've come home, I haven't been nearly as involved in the lives of these young friends/family whom I love dearly and helped along their way.
To elaborate, I'd like to tell you a story.
Imagine for a moment, that you're a 17 year old guy, who is a citizen of a little-known African country. You spent some time growing up in some first world nations, and most of your friends are wealthy. Many of them are American, but some of them are from the same country as you, or a number of other European, African, or Asian nations. Your family is well educated, and spent years working hard to ensure that they allowed you the privilege of a great education, knowing how important it is. As a result, you don't get to see your parents as much as you'd like, but you recognize their sacrifice is for your sake. You're the oldest of your family, so you feel responsible for your younger siblings. In fact, you're one of those rare children- wise beyond your years- who is burdened by your duty to your family and friends. You love deeply, and know that you need to do well in school to ensure you can get into a good college and return that support, as well as fulfil your own dreams. You've grown up in a world that encourages you to dream big- you can do anything if you work hard enough! Your English is perfect. You're at the top of your class. All of your friends are receiving their acceptance letters to universities, planning to move to other countries to live with family and pursue a college degree, and the future they've been promised. You apply to some big schools in several countries, and slowly the acceptance letters roll in. You've even qualified for a few scholarships! Graduation day comes, and you're awarded top honors in your class. You know at this point, that the only path forward that will honor your family's sacrifice, that will fulfil your potential, that will be true to who you are, is college in America. It's your only goal, your only dream. And then the reality of your financial situation hits you. You have no family in the states willing to sign affidavits of support, or sponsor student visas, or let you live in their garage for a while. Your best hope is the help of your friends and teachers who are back in the states, who have moved into a new phase of life already. You know you can't ask them to pay for your schooling. You recognize college is expensive, and you recognize you can't ask someone random to support you through this.
What do you do?
Where do you turn?
What happens when your world is crumbling and you're powerless to change it.
You see the time slipping away.
You feel the weight of expectations falling on you.
You can't really remember anymore exactly what you thought would happen, but this isn't it.
What do you do?
This is where I am. I get emails, I get messages, I get pleas from younger siblings to help their big brother accomplish his dream.
"What if everyone in your church gave like $10, Miss O? Could that at least help him pay for a year of community college?"
"Miss O, couldn't you ask people to help?"
"What can we do, Miss O?"
I've told people for years that I believe in the power of words. I believe that words can change things. If you know me, you know I'm a cynic. You know I have a hard time holding up hope when circumstances look dismal. I'm a realist. I tell him I can't help, because my own finances are shambles, and that I don't know who can.
But is that true? I mean, can I not do something? Do I really not know ANYONE who would be willing to take a little risk for an amazing kid who definitely deserves this chance? Do I not know ANYONE who works for a college who could help make things happen? Do I not know ANYONE who cares?
Well... you tell me. Do I know someone who can help?
So there's this one thing that's been a continuous burden to me since I returned home from teaching in Malawi. I know that I did a lot of great things, but I know that there were a lot of gaping holes in my self-designed curriculum and impartation of knowledge. I also know that since I've come home, I haven't been nearly as involved in the lives of these young friends/family whom I love dearly and helped along their way.
To elaborate, I'd like to tell you a story.
Imagine for a moment, that you're a 17 year old guy, who is a citizen of a little-known African country. You spent some time growing up in some first world nations, and most of your friends are wealthy. Many of them are American, but some of them are from the same country as you, or a number of other European, African, or Asian nations. Your family is well educated, and spent years working hard to ensure that they allowed you the privilege of a great education, knowing how important it is. As a result, you don't get to see your parents as much as you'd like, but you recognize their sacrifice is for your sake. You're the oldest of your family, so you feel responsible for your younger siblings. In fact, you're one of those rare children- wise beyond your years- who is burdened by your duty to your family and friends. You love deeply, and know that you need to do well in school to ensure you can get into a good college and return that support, as well as fulfil your own dreams. You've grown up in a world that encourages you to dream big- you can do anything if you work hard enough! Your English is perfect. You're at the top of your class. All of your friends are receiving their acceptance letters to universities, planning to move to other countries to live with family and pursue a college degree, and the future they've been promised. You apply to some big schools in several countries, and slowly the acceptance letters roll in. You've even qualified for a few scholarships! Graduation day comes, and you're awarded top honors in your class. You know at this point, that the only path forward that will honor your family's sacrifice, that will fulfil your potential, that will be true to who you are, is college in America. It's your only goal, your only dream. And then the reality of your financial situation hits you. You have no family in the states willing to sign affidavits of support, or sponsor student visas, or let you live in their garage for a while. Your best hope is the help of your friends and teachers who are back in the states, who have moved into a new phase of life already. You know you can't ask them to pay for your schooling. You recognize college is expensive, and you recognize you can't ask someone random to support you through this.
What do you do?
Where do you turn?
What happens when your world is crumbling and you're powerless to change it.
You see the time slipping away.
You feel the weight of expectations falling on you.
You can't really remember anymore exactly what you thought would happen, but this isn't it.
What do you do?
This is where I am. I get emails, I get messages, I get pleas from younger siblings to help their big brother accomplish his dream.
"What if everyone in your church gave like $10, Miss O? Could that at least help him pay for a year of community college?"
"Miss O, couldn't you ask people to help?"
"What can we do, Miss O?"
I've told people for years that I believe in the power of words. I believe that words can change things. If you know me, you know I'm a cynic. You know I have a hard time holding up hope when circumstances look dismal. I'm a realist. I tell him I can't help, because my own finances are shambles, and that I don't know who can.
But is that true? I mean, can I not do something? Do I really not know ANYONE who would be willing to take a little risk for an amazing kid who definitely deserves this chance? Do I not know ANYONE who works for a college who could help make things happen? Do I not know ANYONE who cares?
Well... you tell me. Do I know someone who can help?
