Trying to close this log with a summary of what these two years have been risks falling into danger of cliché or missing the mark completely, losing much in translation. In the end, it is probably best then to simply reflect on the month past and to let the story unfold from its events.
In two years I have never grown completely comfortable entering the classroom to a group of fifteen students rising in unison while greeting me: “Education for Love and Service. Good morning, Teacher.” This simple show of respect still catches me off guard most mornings. Yet I have grown comfortable with the fact that these same students are genuine in their greeting and understanding of what the school motto means to each of them. They are eleven-, twelve-, thirteen-, fourteen-year olds and inevitably they often remind of this: Michaella calling Franklin “Paraguay” because he is the fairest skinned in the class, William regularly calling out in the middle of class, Maria never turning in homework; however, this same group of students often astounds me with wisdom and love beyond their primary school years. As I have written before, their maturity in the face of tragedy is beyond me; how they host visitors and behave in their presence leaves me laughing at how awesome they are – my sisters coming into our class party last week and commenting on how it was as though they had walked into an afternoon tea. So let this story be about them.
On the far left is Patrick, the head boy. He is the one who impersonates me in class skits, a quiet leader and a friend to most in the class. Beside him is his best friend in class, Raymond – Pengo, since he is missing a tooth. Raymond is eleven, has skipped two grades, not out of choice, and still manages to scrap by with passing marks. Behind Raymond is Francisca, the head girl. She is from Kenya. Her family moved to Dar after the fallout of the 2o07 elections. Extremely bright girl and very polite. Franklin is grinning in the front. Franklin came to Gonzaga this year. He was struggling at the beginning of the year but this quarter has really turned it around, coming for extra help. It has been a blessing watching his confidence grow. He prayed over my body last week when I mentioned that I was going to the hospital.
Beside Francisca is Gabriella. Even now I am looking at the picture to see her shoes. Her identical twin, Michaella, is one over. They are a little adrift and often fail to complete their homework, yet they still regularly achieve top marks in English and math. They are both naturally very bright. Beside Gabriella up front is Maria. She often does not do her homework, however, unlike the twins, it is evidenced in her academic performance. She loves to sing though and often warms us in the mornings with variations of Celine Dion songs. Can’t beat that!
Severina is behind Maria. She didn’t study in a school until last year. She has made great strides. Eager to learn and a hard worker. She likes speaking Kiswahili with me. Then there is Innocent in the front. He is Raymond’s blood brother and they live with Severina in the SOS Children’s Village in Dar. Innocent is the hardest worker in the class. He arrived in Dar from little schooling and at Gonzaga he has improved his English to being one of the most confident speakers in the class. We see Michaella grinning back there and she would probably be upset with having been paired with her sister; there is no doubt, however, that she is very much an individual – sleepy but unique. Mageni, arms crossed, has just finished saying “Ndizi.” He has lost both his father and mother, and often writes about the sadness with which he walks. A sensitive boy and one who is not afraid to challenge authority – in a good way.
Beside Francisca is Gabriella. Even now I am looking at the picture to see her shoes. Her identical twin, Michaella, is one over. They are a little adrift and often fail to complete their homework, yet they still regularly achieve top marks in English and math. They are both naturally very bright. Beside Gabriella up front is Maria. She often does not do her homework, however, unlike the twins, it is evidenced in her academic performance. She loves to sing though and often warms us in the mornings with variations of Celine Dion songs. Can’t beat that!
Severina is behind Maria. She didn’t study in a school until last year. She has made great strides. Eager to learn and a hard worker. She likes speaking Kiswahili with me. Then there is Innocent in the front. He is Raymond’s blood brother and they live with Severina in the SOS Children’s Village in Dar. Innocent is the hardest worker in the class. He arrived in Dar from little schooling and at Gonzaga he has improved his English to being one of the most confident speakers in the class. We see Michaella grinning back there and she would probably be upset with having been paired with her sister; there is no doubt, however, that she is very much an individual – sleepy but unique. Mageni, arms crossed, has just finished saying “Ndizi.” He has lost both his father and mother, and often writes about the sadness with which he walks. A sensitive boy and one who is not afraid to challenge authority – in a good way.
Jeromina, a head above everyone else. She came from a Kiswahili-medium school this year but her English is now arguably the best among the class. She is a vibrant girl, a hard worker, and eager to join her sister at Loyola in a year. Tall, beside Jeromina is Said, another student from the SOS Village. Said is another diligent student. He is quiet, and you need to be aware of when he has missed the point, but once he gets it – you’re set.
The last three boys are an inseparable trio – Abeid up front, then Robert laughing, and William. Abeid has not made it a hobby to study. He is more focused on playing for Manchester United in a few years. A very bright boy and one who would do very well if more disciplined. As it is, he manages to scrape by and hone his football skills at the same time. Robert is the best dressed in the class. He cuts his hair every other Sunday, always has his shoes polished, won’t play football if he is wearing his nice pair, and normally has a smile on his face. His English is terrific, he studies very hard, and wants to be a doctor. Despite all this, he still manages to find ways to create his little piece of chaos in the classroom. William. Bill. More recently with the conclusion of our reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka. He is brilliant in mathematics. Understands things in such detail that he enjoys throwing out extra formulas and different methods to try and stump me, while at the same time confusing his peers. He is a nut. Loves to make jokes. Loves to challenge the teacher, especially by referencing the Gospel’s message to turn situations in favour of his friends. Unlike Robert, he never has his shirt tucked in, but has recently got into a kick of pulling his shorts up to his chest, I think to mock my effort at getting him to tuck his shirt in. His English translates from Kiswahili, which can often make for some interesting expressions, but though it is broken in places, he is the least shy to practice and to get better, which is the best way to learn.
So, alas, that is it. These are fifteen students with whom I have spent the majority of two years. They have taught me many lessons and made me laugh, and so this month’s log and really the whole experience is a tribute to them.
See you all soon.
So, alas, that is it. These are fifteen students with whom I have spent the majority of two years. They have taught me many lessons and made me laugh, and so this month’s log and really the whole experience is a tribute to them.
See you all soon.
