Boundaries

           

Another busy week is in the books.  So much happened that I’m not sure where to begin!

            First of all, more students came—we’re up to about 65 kids now.  There are still kids who registered who haven’t come, so we’ll see what this week brings.  My fear is that they are not coming because their parents can’t afford to pay the entry fee.  I know that that is cultural, but it really bothers me because the longer kids are out of school, the harder it is for them to progress.

Who couldn't love Elena?

            I saw firsthand this week why we need to have an inclusive school.  For many of our students this year, it is the first time they’ve been around people with disabilities.  A couple of times, when one of our special-needs students walked by, the boys backed away as if frightened.  Another day during recess, some of the boys didn’t want to let one of our girls with Down’s Syndrome play on the playground equipment with them.  I insisted that she could, but they didn’t look happy about it.  Then, when she got down, they wiped off the seat she had been sitting on.  

            It just about broke my heart to see 7-8 year olds acting this way because they had learned this attitude from somewhere.  We have our work cut out for us, but at least the Center is a place where kids (and their parents) can learn to think differently about people with handicaps.  

            It’s been interesting to watch the teachers interact with the kids the second week.  They are doing an amazing job with them!  We finally got a soccer ball, so the boys are running all over kicking that around. While they are doing that, the teachers are playing with the girls and teaching them simply playground games—reminds me of some of the games we played when I was little!  The teachers are having fun, and so are the kids.  I love the relationship building that is going on.

            Teachers are also doing their best to modify for the kids.  One of our 2^ndgraders, Jephte, really struggles with all things academic.  So, I’ve been going in to his class at the end of the day to write down his homework for him—it normally took him so long to write down the homework that he just stopped copying it down.  Then, he couldn’t do it.  Well, after doing this for three days, the teacher started doing it herself!  Now, Jephte at least knows what his homework is and has a chance of doing it!  Next step---get him all the books that he needs!

            I don’t know whether all of you know this, but this year I am living at Notre Maison, many of whose children attend the Haiti Center for Inclusive Education. I have known many of these kids for a number of years and have a personal relationship with them.  Because of that, I have worked hard this past month to set some boundaries at home—I pretty much stay upstairs away from the kids.  I believe it’s important that they know that at school, we have one relationship while at Notre Maison, we have another. I know those strict boundaries won’t stay there forever, but I think it’s a good way to start.

            I say all that because this past week I decided to change some of those boundaries.  One little guy, Alvarez, has many emotional needs.  He causes more trouble than anyone I know, and he has the reputation at home and at school for being the one causing trouble.  I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him get any positive praise. So, last Friday after chapel I asked Alvarez whether he would “help” me memorize the Bible verse so that I could recite in this week at chapel.  Every day we sat together up on the roof of the orphanage and worked on the verse. Friday in chapel, he “helped” me recite it, and he got positive praise!  The smile on his face was priceless.  

Suze works with kids on memorizing Bible verse

            Another student who struggles, Kethia, sat next to me during Chapel.  I had my hymnal and Bible with me, and as I was singing, I noticed her moving closer and closer to me—she wanted to read, too.  Then, while the group was praying, Kethia took my Bible and started reading from it. She helped me find the memory verse for this week in the Bible, and when I asked her whether we should recite it together next week, she smiled and said yes!

            I have a feeling I’m going to be memorizing a lot of Bible verses this year!