The Love will Forever Remain

The goodbyes are never easy. They always manage to leave a break in your heart and a lump in your throat. No matter who you’re saying goodbye to, or where you are, it sticks with you forever. What usually comes with parting with someone is a silver lining that is often overlooked. The silver lining is the impact either you had on someone, or how they changed you. When I think about saying goodbye to these kids, I have to remind myself of how lucky I am, to have gotten the chance to be taught more than I could every teach them.

                At LOAMO, to them the silver lining is to be able to come to school. Coming to school not only allows the students to have hope for the future, but also their parents. Just like us having to say goodbye, these students have a million obstacles pointing them in the direction to give up, but they still never do. The students do what they have to do to set themselves up for success. Whether waking up at five in the morning just to get to school, or leaving their parents at the age of thirteen to make sure they pass Class 7. Another shining moment for these kids is when they get to let loose. For example, during sports day I have never seen so many teenagers so excited to play and watch soccer. The look of freedom and joy that filled their eyes every time someone scored was an indescribable feeling. Having the chance to come back to LOAMO has opened up my eyes even more to the fight each family and student endures just to get an education.

                Even though we have only had eight days with the kids, Class 5 has taught me, and given me, more love than I could ever ask for. Every year, I leave these two weeks wondering what has changed within me, or what is something that I am going to improve on? This year, teaching Class 5 I have grown a new appreciation for the phrase “You are who you are when no one is watching.” Class 5 has taught me that it shouldn’t matter who is watching, you should always be on your A game. Seeing 10 and 11 year olds pushing themselves to get everything right, even when their real teacher is not teaching, has redefined the meaning of that phrase. Another thing that has changed and that I will continue to work on is my ability to let loose and be silly. From the first day of teaching to now I can see the impact it has made on the Class. Simply making a fool of myself has allowed the quieter and more reserved kids to feel comfortable with me. As always, with every trip the kids I teach truly give me a new perspective and appreciation for the simple things in life that we often take for granted. 

                On Friday, I got the chance to visit Teacher Lillian’s house. She teaches Class 1, along with having three little ones of her own. Her home visit was incomparable to anything I else I have experienced in the last couple of years. Her and her story displayed the true meaning of grit. From the very beginning of her life, she never had it easy. Lillian started her life with an amazing mother that stood by her and showed her the ropes of life in Africa, but with a father that thought much less of her because she wasn’t a boy. Lillian was raised with five other sisters because her mother kept trying for a boy to please the dad. At 17 years old, Lillian lost her dad to HIV/ AIDS. As she described this event, it almost seemed like a blessing in disguise for her families happiness. However, five years later, Lillian’s mom passed away from HIV. This left Lillian with five girls to take care of ranging from 5 to 17 years old, along with going to secondary school. At 22 years old, Lillian and her fiancé had to figure out ways to not only provide for themselves, but for five other people. The amount of grit and determination that poured out her heart and story was unbelievable. With every word she said, or every time she grabbed my hand, I could feel the fight that she has put up her whole life. As we were driving home from the visit, I couldn’t help but think about my 22 year old sister that just graduated college, having to take care of five girls and making sure they all got an education and all had a happy life. We left Lillian’s house awe-struck by her perseverance and joy for life, even when she has every reason to throw in the towel and not care. It is stories like Teacher Lillian’s that truly define the environment and people at LOAMO.

                Even thinking about saying goodbye to the kids, this town, and the people, puts a lump in my throat. The fact that I got to come back to the place that has impacted me the most has been such a blessing. The connection and love that I have found here is something I don’t think will ever be duplicated. As I sit in Class 5 and watch them take their exams, I can’t help but smile and shed a little tear. I am so thankful to be a little silver lining for these kids. Even if it was only for two weeks, coming back has showed me that the amount of time doesn’t matter. The kids here will never forget the girl that gave them the one notebook they needed, or the crazy girl that taught them the chicken dance. To me this is the most beautiful thing of all, because it might not be something big, but for two weeks we were able to put a smile on their face and that is enough to last me a life time. Although that pencil might break, and the chicken dance might not be done again, the feeling, smiles, and joy that it brought the kids and I will remain in my heart forever.