Ohana

Within the few days we have been working in the school I have already begun to feel like part of the LOAMO family.  At the school the second day, things were going even better than the first.   We got to the school, and the children were even more welcoming than they were the first day.  “Hello Teacher Evan,” they said as they hugged me.  It warmed my heart to know in one day they managed to remember my name when I was struggling to remember even a few of theirs.

Both the second and third day, I continued helping in the Kinder classroom.  Throughout the day, I talked more with the kids and got a little bit more comfortable with the staff.   With Miss Gutmann’s encouragement I stood up and had the confidence to teach in the class.

In the classroom, I was having a rough day and was not giving all my effort.  As an added responsibility, due to the lack of effort, I was asked to pick up all of the trash in the field behind the school.  In the beginning I walked slowly and without a purpose, dreading what was in store for me for the next hour and a half.  When I was reminded that I had only forty five minutes to finish the task, I began to pick up my pace.  When the preparatory class came outside for their afternoon break, they insisted on helping me pick up the trash.  This really inspired me, because I know that people back home would not have so automatically offered to help.  It also really touched my heart because I could tell pulling the trash off the fence took every ounce of strength in their body and they were still so willing to help.  I know even people in my family or close friends would be hesitant to put so much work into a job, I was instructed on doing.

Throughout the day, I had shed a few tears because I knew I let not only the organization down but also myself.  At the end of the day my eyes were still puffy from the tears.  Many of the kids in classes’ three to six wanted to make sure I was alright.  I told them I was fine and that I would gladly see them tomorrow.  Each of them gave me a hug and patted me on the back.  Their smile warmed my soul and I knew this was a place that, no matter what, there would be people to welcome me.

Looking back on my actions I feel very remorseful and know that in the next week and a half that we are at the school I will give more than my all to ensure I do as much as I can for the kids.

The third day at the school I strived to do as much as I could in the classroom.  I was able to teach the first lesson, math.  Then I graded papers and got to know the teachers a little better.   Ms. Mariom offered me a biscuit and I felt very bad taking it from her.  She said, “My dear I love you too much for you not to eat it.” She smiled at me and I felt as though she was a second mother to me.  Whenever I was the only member of CGA in the classroom she would sit with me and we would talk.  Although they had all of the lessons planned out, I was still able to stand up and teach.

At the end of the day, during break, the preparatory teachers along with Kinder teachers sat in the sun as Tate and I played with the kids.  I went over to them at the very end and offered to clean their chalk board.  Ms. Susy told me I was doing too much work for them and told me to sit down and take a break.  I told her I would be sure to take a break when I got back to the guest house and went to clean the board.

Ohana means family; family means nobody gets left behind.  In all of my life I have never known this more than within the past few days at the school.