Second verse… even more powerful than the first.
Our second full day in Kabul was spent at the second neighborhood school for “street kids” which our organization supports and where we were privileged to teach some English language lessons in each of the six classes, a total of more than 200 students. To make sure the lessons were memorable Patty, Courtney, and Allison saturated them with coloring, singing, dancing, and lots and lots of laughter. Oh yeah… and candy. ;)
Conditions were anything but ideal… the temperature was roughly 100 degrees outside and significantly hotter inside the tiny 150-200 square foot classrooms that held up to 35 kids each. I don’t mention that to elicit sympathy for ourselves, but rather to illustrate the dedication and passion of the students, teachers, and staff who deal with brutal conditions day in and day out because of their love for these kids and without a hint of complaint.
When the last song had been sung, the crayons handed in, and the candy handed out, we hung around to say good-bye to all the kids who are taking with them a rather sizeable piece of our hearts. We then made the somber 15-minute drive back to the guest house sad to see them go, happy to see them smile, and hopeful for their future.
After dinner we set aside 30 minutes to share and process our experiences thus far in our week. Over the next two-and-a-half hours (and a box of Kleenex) various team members shared their thoughts about our time in the schools the last couple days:
- It was a great feeling to sit among the kids, doing the lessons with them, being goofy with them, and helping them when they needed it. It was a million degrees in there and if you looked for it you could see sweat running down their faces. But what you didn’t have to look for was their smiles!
- It was fantastic to see the kids let go of the burdens of being a bread-winner for their families for a few minutes and be kids again – jumping around, clapping, singing, dancing, being silly, and giggling uncontrollably – just plain being kids!
- I couldn’t believe it when one of the little girls singled me out, told me she loved me, and wouldn’t let go of my hand! (Yes, she is packed in my duffel bag for the trip back to Colorado. ;)
- What a great group of teachers! They could have gone outside and sat in the shade while we were teaching. But instead, every one of them stayed in the classroom, sat with their students, and did everything they did – dancing, singing, drawing, and giggling – for the entire session. The bond between the kids and their teachers was incredible!
Our time at the schools for street kids was brief, but powerful. And an experience none of us will ever forget.
Tomorrow is the Muslim Holy Day and most of the local staff will have the day off to spend with their families. So we will use the day to rest, re-energize, fellowship with our teammates, and get ready to hit the ground running on Saturday and for the remainder of our all-too-brief time here.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support… it it is life giving for us and life changing for these kids.
--Bob
Counting out the school supplies for the days to follow.
The team helping some pre-1st grade students draw Joseph's "coat of many colors."
And then Joseph said, "One, two... what should I do?"
Not very long ago gems like these may have been left undiscovered, lost to the streets of Kabul.
For a young boy, having male leadership in your life can be life changing... not to mention mesmerizing.
Courtney, why is your duffel bag so lumpy? And giggling???
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