A Very Challenging Day

Thursday, July 23^rd, was easily one of the hardest days I have ever experienced.

On both Thursday and Friday, every student in the school took exams, marking the end of the second term of the school year.

As prep class began to take their exams, the students grew quiet and focused. Half way through the exam, however, the headmaster opened the door, with a sad and disturbed look on his face. He specifically picked out two of the students and brought them outside and into his office. I haven’t seen either student since.

As the morning continued, I grew very confused, for I saw a group of male students leave the school. I was baffled. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew in my gut that something was not okay.

I couldn’t sit still, so I walked outside the classroom and into the courtyard, only to find two girls crying hysterically. One girl, Brightness, is in class six, while the other, Lisa, is just a toddler in baby class. I held both girls in my arms and then proceeded to ask Brightness what was going on.

As tears streamed down her face, Brightness explained that many students had been asked to leave the school because their parents didn’t pay school fees for the second term. These students were asked not to return to school the following day.

For many of these kids, education is their only possible ticket out of poverty, and now, due to the fact that her parents were unable to pay for school, they will no longer attend LOAMO and will be forced to continue their education at a government school, which does not provide the students with  the same level of support and sustainability as LOAMO.

An education is a priority for all students here. Their parents are dedicated to the children’s academic career, but on Thursday, some were robbed of the opportunity to learn at this English speaking primary school.

 The pain I felt when receiving such news was indescribable. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think straight and I couldn’t begin to imagine the horror, which the parents must feel, unable to provide for their children. It is not the child to blame, but it the child who suffers.

I am still distraught about this, but know that the headmaster has done everything in his power to try and have the students stay at LOAMO, sending home letters and asking the parents for any amount of money for school fees. There are also many scholarship opportunities available.

Children's Global Alliance has given so much to this school and the organization is smart when it comes to distributing money. Great patience, carefulness, and attention is given when providing individuals with money. Furthermore, it is an investment in one’s life, rather than a donation. CGA is very selective when making such investments, and it wouldn’t have been right to donate money to every child whose parents couldn’t find a way to pay for school fees. CGA hasn’t been able to see every child’s home, every child’s background, comprehend every child’s living situation and family dynamic. It is crucial for CGA to invest in the most worthy children and teachers, making it close to impossible to allow all children to continue studying at LOAMO.

I want to help, and I am reassured by knowing in my heart that I have given my all into teaching and bonding with the students and teachers. I can’t pay for every child’s school fees, but I can absorb every experience I have connecting with each student and allowing them to understand and appreciate that they are more than the amount of money their family has.