A few nights ago, 25 children received new shoes. You should have
heard the noise! We could hear their shouts from inside our room.
The day before, a large number of kids had been sent home from school because
they didn't have proper footwear. The schools require black shoes
worn with socks. How many pairs of socks do you own? If it is more
than one, count yourself lucky because so many of these children are deprived
of that basic clothing item.
There have been several times during the last few weeks that we have seen
kids walk through the CYEC gates during school hours. When we ask them
what they're doing home early, their replies often sound something like this:
"I didn't have socks today" or "Someone stole my shoes last night
and these ones aren't the right color."
It breaks my heart that education is used as a
punishment for not owning the right color of shoes. And it is a
punishment...these kids love going to school. I have never heard one of
these children complain about having to go to school. Each night I ask the kids if they had fun at
school, and I make them tell me one thing they learned. They always have great answers. I remember my dad used to ask me this
question every day while growing
up. “Did you learn something new?” he
would ask. I’m sure there were countless
days that I replied with an ungrateful answer. How humbled I am by these children. They appreciate their education. They know
what an education means… it means a future; it means hope; it means
opportunity. They take nothing for granted. Not even a pair of new, black shoes.
love,
-br
love,
-br
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of lights. James 1:17
So am I going to cry after reading all of your posts? It is so awesome to know how much the kids enjoy school! love you so much and keep sharing your heart with the kids...... I know you are such a blessing to them,
ReplyDeleteBethany--what a great post and thanks for remembering those times when I would ask you and your sister about what you learned today. I always wanted you to see the beauty of the day and to learn something from that beauty. It sounds like you are doing that now in your new setting. We all need to appreciate where we are at and what we are doing. What you are doing across the world from us reminds us that we need to do a better job of supporting other people who are less fortunate that we are. You are setting a great example for all of us and I am so proud of you. You and your k-state buddies are setting good examples for all us us. Keep up the great work, love you very much and remember no matter what, you CANNOT put one of those cute little babies in you suitcase to bring home:)
ReplyDeleteLove you bunches daughter---dad