Today I went shopping for a girl named Valentine. Not just for her, but also for Hillary, Caren, and Dorcas. It was like Christmas when I came back home, dividing up who gets what. They are the last of my students to enter high school this year, unless I adopt another one or two in the next few weeks. The secondary schools have lists of supplies that the students are required to bring when they "report" for school. Entering secondary school can be a long process, depending on how well the students perform on the national exam at the end of primary school and which schools they select as their top choice a year before. Some who don't get invited will have to consider repeating Standard 8 (8th grade) or training in a vocational school.
It looks like we will have 55 of our children in high school or a vocational trade school this year. I'll write about them more another time. 15 have been new placements, so the last six weeks have been full of school preparations, standing in lines at banks to pay fees, buying books, finding the best price for supplies, and meeting guardians and children, talking about hopes and concerns and seeing excitement, eager anticipation, apprehension, uncertainty about the future and disappointment in their eyes.
It looks like we will have 55 of our children in high school or a vocational trade school this year. I'll write about them more another time. 15 have been new placements, so the last six weeks have been full of school preparations, standing in lines at banks to pay fees, buying books, finding the best price for supplies, and meeting guardians and children, talking about hopes and concerns and seeing excitement, eager anticipation, apprehension, uncertainty about the future and disappointment in their eyes.
I continue to be challenged by the work I have - particularly listening to people's stories and not having solutions for them. I like having the answers. I like making people happy. And here my work requires that I listen, hopefully with a kind (if linguistically challenged) ear and an open heart, to people's troubles that I cannot solve. For many, I know my response can be a disappointment, as they carry hope that someone from the outside will have something they lack. Sometimes I can be of assistance, but many times it is just listening and trying to be compassionate in my response.
Valentine's Day is popular here - many people were wearing red and shop windows are full of signs and cards. I was thinking of Valentines a bit early yesterday when I saw a photo of my family and felt so moved by the love I have for each of them, and then moving on to the thank you notes yet to write and knowing so much love from the people who support me.
As I struggle with my desire to change things and try to accept my limitations, I am comforted by Dorothy Day's words - The only solution is Love. And so I pray that I fall deeper into that Love that brought me here.
- To my family and friends - thank you for loving me.
- To someone dear to me who is exhausted and waiting for healing - I am praying you can rest in love.
- To all - may you know that you are loved.
With love,
Mary
