Realization

I go to my community primary school called St. Paul's Government on Tuesdays. I work with a first grade class of about 30 kids. I knew i was in the right place when locals informed me its the loudest school on island. I've grown really attached to my kids there and cant wait til Tuesday comes every week. But today something happened that made me take a step back and realize what i was here for.

I was sitting in the back of the class as the teacher was collecting lunch money, getting the kids settled and seeing if everyone showed up today. Its not unusual for kids to only come to school 3-4 times a week and lateness is pretty typical. But today it was around 9:30 as one of my students comes straggling in late since school started an hour ago. She was wearing two different shoes, had holes in her white knee high socks, her skirt was dirty and her white shirt was stained with yesterdays lunch. She had this look of shame on her face as Ms. Mitchell walked to the back of the class to speak to her. They were mumbling back and forth to each other so i couldn't make out what was said, but Ms. Mitchell caught my eye and i could see there was a story behind this.

When the bell rang for break about 10:30 I approached Ms. Mitchell to get some explanation as to what this little girls story was. She informed me that this precious little girl has an older sister and brother, both who attend St. Paul's Govt. They are currently homeless, as the dad and mom recently lost their jobs. They are currently sleeping on the beach and have only their school uniforms as clothes. The only meal she and her siblings eat is the free lunch the school gives them everyday, typically some rice and a piece of chicken. My heart was in shatters as Ms. Mitchell was telling me this students story, i had to do something. So as the mid morning break bell rang i called this little girl over and asked if she had a snack for break, even though i knew the answer. I knew i had 5 dollars in my bag, 2.50 of it to get home, but at this point i didn't care, this little girl hadn't ate in over 24 hours. I took her down to the Greens where vendors set up to let the kids buy snacks and let her pick out everything she could buy for 5 bucks. She was in heaven. She looked up and said "Thank you miss, my stomach has been growling since last night," then ran off to play with her friends.

It was this small moment that made me realize just how much i take for granted. As i return to my village and my nice little apartment, she and her family search for food and a place to sleep. Why do i deserve this apartment? I don't.

One positive thing i learned at school today though is that the quickest way to a kids heart is through a digital camera. I busted it out during break and got some hilarious photos. After they pose for the camera its always "let me see it, let me see it!" They LOVE to see themselves on the camera. I'm going to find a way to print them off so i can put them up in the classroom. Here were the results: