As the year comes to an end one naturally finds themselves looking back, searching for the meaning in another year passed. This has certainly been the case in Cofradia. I have spent the last year of my life in a foreign land. The customs, traditions and language are not my own. Many of the beliefs people hold and the actions they take do not reflect my own opinions or the things that I would do. I have been away from my close friends and family and without a salary all in hopes of doing something good.
As I left for a year abroad many people joked, some in jest but others with malice, that I was wasting my time; I was delusional and all of my efforts were useless to make any difference. That assumption was not taken lightly and certainly an idea I had entertained before deciding to move to Honduras. As the months and weeks left dwindle to days and hours, I have been forced to take a serious look back at this year. What, if anything, have I accomplished here? Has this past year made a difference to anyone? Was it worth it?
This morning, I received my answer. During our Monday morning assembly at the end of “Star of the Week”, a weekly tradition in which each teacher names one student from their class the “star” and gives them a personalized cut out star for their effort, behavior or general good nature, my middle school student Giselle took the stage. Giselle is an incredibly sweet and bright young girl whose home life has been less then rosy this year. A fellow teacher and I have tried to help Giselle throughout the year to cope with her family problems. As Giselle took the stage there was a general sense of curiosity as to why she was on the stage and what she had to say to the whole school. In her hands were five stars made of construction paper, their glitter gleaming in the morning light. As Giselle took the microphone and began to speak her voice began to shake. Her knees buckling, her cheeks streaming with tears, Giselle proceeded to present myself, the director and the other middle school teachers with our very own stars of the week. Our own eyes filled with tears, and with knees as sturdy as lime jello, we graciously accepted our very first stars.
Giselle had this to say on the back of my star:Profe Matt, Thank you for you being so friendly with us and specially for making me trust in you. Thanks for giving us your friendsheep.
She may not be the best speller but man, what a sweetheart. I never thought that a flimsy piece of construction paper, covered with marker and glitter, could have such a profound effect on me. This simple act of thanks is one of the most thoughtful and humbling experiences I have ever had. I know I can look back with confidence and pride that this year has made a difference, and that every second was worth it.
*The students name has been changed to protect their privacy.
