Recently, I watched a short documentary with my new roommate and best friend(same person-Go Jesus!). Living On One Dollar follows the story of four guys who endeavour to live with the same financial and life circumstances (20%/1.2 billion people in the world live on less than $1 per day) as the rural villagers of Guatemala. For three months they live on varied amount of $1 per day; some days having $0 some days having more to simulate the villagers' unstable income. -check out their page http://livingonone.org/livingonone/
A lot of what I saw was familiar as I work with people who have the same and similar circumstances. Although I know these stories and I have faces and names that my heart is pressed between, this time I really felt the conviction. You see, growing up in the States I took education for granted. Our tax dollars provide public schooling for any citizen. Therefore, I was never concerned with or faced with the reality of not being able to get an education. Maybe university was another story but I knew that I would graduate high school at least.
In my house there was a small cabinet with old art supplies: crayons, markers, glue, scissors, etc. Whenever I had a project or birthday card to make it was ready for me to scavenge. Although we re-used old binders and note books, I always had what I needed for school and there was always a pen or pencil in some drawer or crevice in the house in case I needed back-up.
Thinking back, I can remember countless times where I had mentally listed all the reasons why I hated school. I used to cut class on numerous occasions(sorry mom and dad and any teachers reading this!) and did everything I could to attend as little school as possible. I didn't value what I was being given and I surely didn't utilise my resources and education as best as I could of; as I should have. I spent time lingering on the negativity of my life and what part school played in that directly or indirectly. I didn't have much awareness of the struggle for education people experience outside of my bubble.
This growing conviction started when I first came to South Africa but has come to its peak working closely in the schools and with the children/youth here. Our community centre/orphan care centre in Wells Estate held a talent show not too long ago. Having no electricity there we had no microphones or speakers but did manage to use a pathetically low volume CD player for anyone who wanted to dance. The kids LOVED to show off any and all talent they had and it didn't matter if it was ideal or not. All the attention was on them for a short time; something that is quiet rare in their lives where they are normally neglected. My heart cried from the cuteness of a group of boys probably 3-6 years old dancing their hearts out to the clapping beats of the audience. We had a few artists come and do a live drawing, girls with amazing voices sing, and even spiritual dancing! It was a hoot and we all shared a wonderful time together. One act in particular struck something in me.
"Honey" is a 14 year old girl in my youth. Honey is not one of the sponsored children of One Life but benefits from the soup club, home work club, youth group, and Saturday programs at the community centre. She is super smart and very much committed to fight for her future. Honey has wonderful english and enjoys writing poetry. She decided to share one of her works at the talent show. Her poem was so beautifully spoken and embraced a defiance of emotion which stood against the effects of poverty on a level of its own. Her heavy lines, spoken staccato and strong, encouraged others to value the privilege that education is and to not waste it or let it slip away with careless decisions. This young woman had such compassion for her peers, for her community, and urged them to take ownership of their part in the fight against poverty; against the conditions and situations in their life they had no choice of. I was thoroughly impressed with her and with Jesus for creating such a beautiful soul.
I know I have spoken about our homework clubs before but just in case you don't know, here's a quick glimpse. Kids from all over the community can come to Soyama. Here they have a safe, clean, and generally quiet place to do their homework, get help, and even slowly learn to read, write, and do mathematics. The children who come, often have maybe one uniform, that which is worn out, dirty, ripped etc. -some don't even have a uniform or school shoes let alone shoes. While I had everything I needed, a lot of these children don't even own one pencil. Many can't afford transport for school so they don't go, or they attend schools where there are not enough teachers, no discipline, lack of equipment, text books, desks... and the list goes on.
In the documentary there was this 12 year old boy who had only a grade 3 education and was forced to work in the fields to provide for his family. He desperately wanted to go to school but had no way to as their family couldn't even afford proper food for themselves. When the guys from the film stayed in his village, he hung around them as much as possible and eagerly ate up all of anything they could teach him. I am ashamed.
I am ashamed at my thoughts and actions concerning my education. Despite my disinterest and care for my education I am still so much more ahead than people my age and older in the townships here (concerning knowledge and there affected status). I didn't deserve what I received. I was able to go to college because of my privileges. Working full-time and with the help of government grants I was able to pay for my schooling. Being that it was what I wanted to do and coming out of my wallet my attitudes about school changed and I attended every class and studied hard(I'm also still slowly working towards my degree in online seminary). I had a slightly bigger understanding of the real world but not outside of my world. I really had no idea what educational circumstances others fight in the world outside the States.
-I'm so sorry to all those who have no way of getting an education. (Just needed to confess that for me)
Although, these kids may never know this part of my story I am so grateful that Jesus is allowing me to work with them to change that part of their story. Again, I am ashamed but hopeful. If you are currently getting an education of any kind I encourage you to do some self-reflecting.
Other than that, things are kind of the same here. I have a bad sinus infection that I have been fighting and finally got some medicine for so I am excited to get better soon I hope! We will be working more in Coega primary school (the majority of our Wells Estate sponsored kids go here). Our plans are to step in where we can and teach the grades that have no teacher; the government will not pay for them to have any more teachers so three to four grades continue to go on without anyone teaching them. I personally am looking forward teaching/doing music with the kids there. On another subject, I am still in need of funds for my plane trip back to visit my family and then return to my work here. If you would like to be a part of that let me know!
Here are some interesting facts i found concerning education/poverty:
- More than 100 million children remain out of school. (Source:UNFPA)
- 46% of girls in the world's poorest countries have no access to primary education.
- More than 1 in 4 adults cannot read or write: 2/3 are women.
- Universal primary education would cost $10 billion a year – that's half what Americans spend on ice cream.
- Young people who have completed primary education are less than half as likely to contract HIV as those missing an education. Universal primary education would prevent 700,000 cases of HIV each year – about 30% all new infections in this age group. (Source:Oxfam)
- In our world today nearly 11 million children under the age of 5 die in the world every year – well over 1,200 every hour most from easly preventable or treatable causes.
Crazy stuff. You can check out more here…
http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/food/vitalstats.shtml or http://www.banzaid.org.nz/resources-125/articles/63-poverty-stats or https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-education-around-world
If any of this stirred anything in your heart and you would like to ask me any questions or would like to find out how you can help (we can ALWAYS use supplies/volunteers) contact me!! I would love to hear from some of you anyway! Be blessed guys, I love and miss y'all.
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