A New Year

Celebratory days of the New Year cleaned up and almost forgotten,  as are many new year's resolutions no doubt!

My new year is always welcomed as we begin each January with a further 35 children to begin their education a time of discovery for them and for myself. I find that as the school grows so must the energy to continue to find those whose caring goes deeper than well wishes, but to actually help by making a plan to volunteer or to donate.

I look at photographs of family and friends and see the brightly coloured wrapped presents under an overly decorated tree and in its place I see food on plates, water in large yellow containers, queues waiting to see a doctor or a new baby born behind the closed doors of a darkened filthy room.  Christmas and New Year is always a time of awakening that another year has passed and we remain strong in spirit and continue to do our work in times of economic adversity. 

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But as they say 'you can't lead a camel to water' a bit the same with us, we can only spread the word of our work and ask if others can assist by sharing their wealth. It's not always about money, but about their time. Time to volunteer, here or even in their own home cities by doing a small fundraiser, gathering small donations from family and friends, or introduce us to a business where their services may be able to assist.

On the steps of our administration office stand little ones who can barely do up their own shoe laces, wait in line to be introduced to their new teacher. A teacher who will not only teach them the abc's, sing with them, lead them into sporting activities, but will become their confidant, who takes it upon him or herself to be able to listen, to hear their tiny voices when they wish to speak out about abuse, hunger and pain.

Our children are given a breakfast and a lunch meal, then at home they go without. Yes, we know that the motivation for education is food at times, but we would prefer that than to see these fledglings go without becoming hopeless amongst a sea of those already lost. 

No, it is not a year of gloom and doom, but a time to be thankful that we are here for our new children, our current children and those who are not able to come to our school but we come to them and their families sharing what we can, it is indeed a privilege, one that continues to make me thankful that we are able to be there... come on this journey with us this year, I guarantee you will and do see the difference in others and you too!