Avery being inspired by high school learners

Joseph

Today a few of the other students and I went with a friend of Marita’s named Joseph to his school, Sithembele Matiso High School in Guguletu, to talk with a few students about the importance of staying in school, of education, and working for what you want most. As we pulled up to the school the barbed gates clanked open and the security guards peered into the windows as we drove past.  Joseph and his teacher rushed over to meet us and smiled in the sun as we stumbled out of the mini bus taxi. They brought us to the principal’s office who immediately arranged for us to take a quick tour of the whole school before we went to join Joseph in class for the morning.

           

I understand that we draw a little bit of attention to ourselves because we are a large group- there were 11 of us total and I think that that along with the overall whiteness of the group called for some eyebrows raised in surprise.  I couldn’t help but feel intrusive- like a tourist misplaced. We were welcomed well by everyone but I felt guilty for coming in proclaiming to have answers on how to study, how to succeed- I suddenly realized the weight of the task we had signed up for at this school.

           

My apprehension faded quickly as we sat down in front of the students in classroom 11B. About 20 eleventh graders looked toward us and immediately began to share their stories of poverty, lack of resources, and issues in their community that holds them back and what we could offer in advice. I spoke after a little thought- I wanted my answer to come from my heart and not be insensitive or sound pretentious as if I had infinite wisdom as to how to live a successful life (I don’t). I simply said that education is of course necessary, but in a sense what is more necessary is that you find something that drives you- a passion or a goal that you may not even believe you can reach but you know you cannot rest until you do. Once you let this passion infect you and become part of your being and reason for living- it becomes a question of how- finding in most cases that you need an education. Whether it’s in order to progress unto the next level of schooling, or if it’s to network with people and gain credibility as a hard worker- education continually is an answer to break the cycle of poverty and reach those goals.

           

I was inspired to meet those students today. Regardless of their hardships and the lack of reinforcement or encouragement that they need to progress they are nonetheless persevering and working to change their situation. I wish them the best of luck on their standardized tests when they enter 12^th grade. I am praying that they find it within themselves to work hard and earn the best grade that they can in order to get one step closer to seeing through with their wildest dreams.