I want to introduce you to Natalia, a precious part of our days here in Rwanda. Natalia plays with Joshua and Caleb on Tuesdays after school. Drawing is their favorite thing to do together. Natalia teaches them to draw poisson (fish) and her favorite bird is the “umosambi”. The boys teach her to draw “Thomas the Tank Engine” and 747 jumbo airplanes. Call it a cross cultural experience of the highest level (smile).
Natalia is a Rwandese orphan. Her father was killed in the genocide, her mother from AIDS. She and her sister live as an “orphan-headed household” on less than a dollar a day. To be honest, I have to remind myself all she has been through. Her little spirit is so resilient, her face so bright. She loves what every 12 year old girl loves—her girlfriends, sweet smelling soap, nice clothes and shoes. But above all Natalia loves to be hugged. When we were first getting to know each other, she was a bit shy, but now when she comes through our gate she practically crashes into my chest and throws her face into my neck saying “Mommy!!” We will stand there hugging for about a minute and then I will get the full report of the week in her language with bits of English and LOTS of hand signs!
This is a beautiful photo Belinda, it always amazes me the strength that young people have to survive and stay positive even though they have been through and seen first hand such terror and sorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm studying at teachers training college at the moment especially interested in making learning resources to support education within indigenous communities. I have to do a short seminar next week researching the integration of refugees and international students into the New Zealand school system. It is sad to think many come to New Zealand for a better life, then face exclusion from peers and teachers because of stereotypical misconceptions, miss-communications and just plan old bad teaching practices.