Yeah right! Whoever told us her hometown was 8 hours away was
definitely an optimist. Oh, well, we arrived on Thursday morning, and, after
checking in with Daso’s family, went with her father and Auntie Mary Jane to
two schools where Daso may go next school year. They were as different as
can be.
The second school was not just dazzling on the outside, it was also impressive on the inside. It exceeded my expectations of what I thought was possible, and, though I didn’t get to witness a classroom because they are on midterm break, the scattered classrooms left by busy learning made my heart happy…not just because they were scattered and Daso would feel right at home. No, there were science posters, paper mache volcanoes, painted gourds (a cultural symbol), inspirational posters on the walls. I saw interactive learning had taken place in every classroom we entered. Mary Jane said she wanted to be 11 again. I wanted to move there myself. They had drama club, press club, and other extracurricular that will make Daso dizzy with possibility.
The second school was not just dazzling on the outside, it was also impressive on the inside. It exceeded my expectations of what I thought was possible, and, though I didn’t get to witness a classroom because they are on midterm break, the scattered classrooms left by busy learning made my heart happy…not just because they were scattered and Daso would feel right at home. No, there were science posters, paper mache volcanoes, painted gourds (a cultural symbol), inspirational posters on the walls. I saw interactive learning had taken place in every classroom we entered. Mary Jane said she wanted to be 11 again. I wanted to move there myself. They had drama club, press club, and other extracurricular that will make Daso dizzy with possibility.
Praise God for this answered prayer. Daso will need to take an exam to enter so they can place her in the appropriate classroom. You can pray that she will be able to show what she knows and as she goes to school, will be confident in who she is so she makes friends who are confident and joyful as well.
I have asked a young woman I met while there to be Daso’s
mentor. I’m waiting and praying for an
answer to this request. If she does not
agree, we will keep praying that God will show us the right person.
Probably my favorite moments at her family home were
sitting outside, taking in Mariama playing in the sand with other children,
Daso getting her hair braided, eating tuwo (corn mush) with sauce, and
discussing the important and the mundane with Daso’s mother and Auntie
Mary Jane. We also swam in a very mossy
pool, went out to a bakery for food and drinks, and celebrated her oldest
brother’s 14th birthday with balloons and cake made on the stovetop
in a “local oven.”
Yes, it was a beautiful and successful trip. Thank you for praying with us as Daso (and
us) transition in the upcoming weeks.
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment