Memories that moved me to tears

I woke up this morning, and as my usual practice decided to appreciate God for a new day. But this took a new turn as I realized that the year is ending, and I extended my appreciation to God for a full year well spent.

In the midst of my Thanksgiving session, tears flooded my eyes as my heart reached out to the kids I taught at Adekunle Anglican Primary school, Makoko. I cried because I actually miss them and I remember how I felt when I heard that we had been moved to another school due to administrative issues. I received this news about two weeks to resumption in September. 

I was shocked to my bones... I didn't even get a chance to say GOOD BYE. I however had the opportunity to visit some of them in the waterside shacks where they live, to give out a copy of a book I reviewed (Choices by Timothy Akinsola). I remember walking into the classroom and packing my belongings out of the classroom some days later. I checked the art projects pasted all over the classroom walls, our value statement, mission and vision statement, and I was bothered because we were still far away from achieving our goal. A bulk of the time had been spent dealing with basic literacy challenges, and I had planned to address some issues that came to my table last term. But I never got the chance to do more than I'd already done. It was a painful experience, and I remember giving the classroom one last look before locking it and handing over the keys.

My heart reached out to those kids this morning in prayers, because aside from occasional chats with some of them on phone, that's the only way I can reach them for now. I told God to take care of them and never leave them alone. As I prayed, I cried more as I remembered some cases in my classroom during my last term with them.

Justel was arrested because he stabbed someone in a cult to cult tussle. He was absent from school for two days, and my kids gave me the news when I asked for his where about. I remember the long counselling session I had with him, and the Corp member who also stepped in to give him a man to man counsel. It was a case I sorrowed over because I saw I needed to do more in character and value system building for these kids, but the communication barrier made it a bit challenging. I did the little I could anyway. 

Patience was also absent from school due to an eroded value system problem. She's an 18 year old girl from the east, still in grade 5. Men had started to make advances at her and she had given in to one of them. She'd leave her house and go to his house, even during school days. I remember the day her Aunt who she was living with brought her to school, and complained to me. How could this be happening under my watch? I thought. I remember 'punishing' her with my occasional gazes in class for two days before having a frank talk with her about her actions and future. I really hope she listened to me, and took to my counsel.

Maria also stopped coming to school. Her parent thought school was no good and decided to keep her at home in the morning, and make her attend lessons in the afternoon. One of the kids took me to her house. The memories of our long walk (and jumps) on the waterside wooden walkway is ingrained in my heart. And that look on her face when I saw her! She had a wrapper around her body, as she moved around the shed where they lived in the slum. I remember my conversation with her Aunt that day as I advocated for her return to school, while she can also attend after school lessons. Her Mum wasn't available, and it was quite difficult to convincing her Aunt to convince her Mum. Maria never came back to school.

Nonye had ran away from home for about two weeks, and I remember the day she was found and returned to school. She left home and was sleeping around because she felt she's not getting the best from her Uncle whom she was living with. I had to do a lot of counselling that day too. 

Chidinma had come to school without knowing that her mentrual cycle had started. It was a Mathematics class, and I called her out to solve a problem on the board when I noticed this blood stain on her cloth. She didn't even know she was stained. In the midst of the class, I had to send another student to buy sanitary pads and help her clean up.

I started having some conversations with them about puberty due to the fact that about 70% of them were teenagers already, yet still in Grade 5. Their parents were not knowledgeable enough to give them counsel on these matters beforehand. I had planned to do more, but time and chance didn't permit me.

All these pictures flooded my mind this morning, and my waking thoughts went back to those kids. One thing that made me smile was the assurance and confidence that I did the little I could do while I was there. And I can still pray for them now, even though we are miles apart.

As a matter of fact, I still get several calls from some of them and their parents even though I'm in a new school now. I have learnt that in life, there are things we can control, and there are others we can't. When you have the chance to do good things, give a counsel, lend a helping hand, visit a sick person, give some financial assistance... Take it seriously because you never know what will happen the following day. You may never have that same opportunity again.

As the year winds down, I am making up my mind to do more with my new kids in the coming year, and make good use of the limited time I have with them. We are not relenting in out effort at changing the narrative of a life by affecting each child in our classroom. We are making ripple effects that will transcend the present, and give one child a better opportunity to live a dignified life & break out from the poverty circle that has remained in their family. You can also support us in this cause, and do not forget to reach out to your neighbours too. A generous donor supported my partner teacher (who now has about 140 students to handle) with 50 books. This will make teaching and learning easier for them. You can imagine if the books were not there and he has to teach them about 10 subjects. 

The truth is, money is most times the least of a child's need, even though it makes life smoother and gives them access to more goodies of life. It can even make the difference in the quality of education a child gets, especially in a unique country like Nigeria.

However, we must understand that every child needs a champion, someone who believes in them and can encourage them to give their best to their academics, or personal growth and development. You can be the champion to that child by giving some of your time and speaking some kind words to him/her.

They need someone who will show up for them, speak up for them and speak life into them when the chips are down. A simple "I love you", " I believe in you ", " You can do it", " You are the best", goes a long long way. So, let's step out and reach out. We're in this together!