I Heard it at Ricks: Part 2

Friday was another day of sports and fun here at Ricks.  After announcing the winner of the student body president elections (winner = Mohammed Dukuly, standard bearer for the Students With An Active Purpose Organization), the school erupted in excitement for those who supported Mohammed, and in sadness for those whose candidates did not win.  Yet the afternoon continued with more fun out on the sports field.  The afternoon began with a football (soccer) game of staff vs. students.  While standing out on the field watching the game, I had a few conversations I thought I would share.

Morris (pictured left, top): Morris is in my 7th grade class.  I'm always excited when I have the opportunity to talk to one of my students outside the classroom.  Seeing Morris's camera, and having mine out as well, I knew we had an instant conversation starter.  Morris told me that he is sponsored by a man who lives in NYC.  This photographer sponsors Morris and 5 or 6 others, providing them cameras and teaching them to use them.  I believe Morris said he will be coming in December when the students are on break to work with Morris more in developing his photography skills.  What a great experience - I'm grateful to this person in NYC for helping cultivate the artistic talents of some of the boys here at Ricks!

Fabunde (pictured left, bottom): Fabunde is in the 10th grade class here, so he is not one of my students.  However, we had previously met when he talked to me about one of his friends who came with Mercer earlier this year who was interested in knowing more about the opportunity to teach here for a year.  I saw Fabunde out at the game, and we got to talking again.  We talked for at least an hour, about everything from the sights to be seen in different US States to a medical condition that keeps Fabunde from participating in sports (he enjoys playing table tennis instead).  We talked about Christmas, and how it's celebrated in each of our countries.  In Liberia, Fabunde told me that many people have a big meal with their families (that part sounds familiar), but the evening is often spent going out with friends to entertainment clubs (places where you can watch sporting events, TV shows, etc... I think, I've not been to one yet).  Fabunde was very inquisitive and asked me several questions about life in the US.  At one point, he asked me what kind of difficulties I faced in high school.  I thought for a minute, and very sincerely told him that I had self-esteem issues, that I didn't think I was pretty, that I was shy and had trouble talking to people, especially boys.  He laughed a little.  He clarified and told me that in Liberia, common difficulties are figuring out whether you'll be able to go to school; if you can get in to school, you face the difficulty of how you will get to school each day (take a taxi?  walk many miles?).  He told me how some students come to school hungry and can't afford to buy any food at the school (lunch is only provided for boarding students), and how some students might go a day without a meal.  He told me that he has a medical condition that keeps him from playing sports unless he can take a medicine which is too expensive to afford (about $25 for a month's supply).   

I felt immediately foolish and absurdly American.  What could I say?  My biggest struggles were not feeling pretty, wishing for boyfriends and best friends, and being overly quiet.  How can I even begin to compare that with the struggles Fabunde described for Liberian students?  I simply can not.  It really just leaves me speechless.  In response I told Fabunde that we were lucky that all children are required to go to school in America, and that we even have busses that will get students to the school each day.  "That is why everyone wants to go to America," he replied.

I have always been a believer in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, whether scientifically justifiable or not.  Basically, the theory is that the most basic needs (food, shelter, safety) must be met before other needs (intimacy, self-actualization) can be pursued.  Yes, Fabunde and I did also talk about friendships and relationships, but these seemed like less of a major issue for him than for most 16 year old boys I know.  Is it because my most basic needs have always been met without question that I am able to grapple with these issues that seem trite and firvolous in comparison to obtaining an education or food for the day?

I feel like this entry is a bit rambling; sort of stream-of-consciousness disorganization.  But I'm OK with that for now, because that is how these thoughts feel in my head.  I think these are issues I will have to continue to think about throughout my time here.  Why is it that my needs were so unquestionably met?  Why can't we just "fix" all the brokenness in the world so children go to school and bellies are never empty when they go to bed?  So many questions and so few answers.  But I think they're good questions.  Hard.  But good, and worth struggling to try to answer.