Did You Hear About The Teacher Who . . .

My daughter-n-law raises funds to buy books for libraries in Kenya. She does this remarkable thing through Usborne Books.  She hosts book party after book party.  Through her parties,  she has personally equipped seven libraries in Kenya with books.

Recently, she received a call from Usborne asking her to talk with a school in Milwaukee about the possibility of helping them acquire reading books.  So, she ventured into a place few Anglo people dare to go these days; intercity Milwaukee.  

Upon arriving at the school, she was struck by the architectural beauty of the old building.  She was equally as impacted by the lack of essentials for teaching and learning in the classroom she visited. The paradoxical contradiction was stark.  Such a magnificent facility barren of many things; in particular, books.  Wendy, the teacher, explained that she often went to the public library.   There she checked out books with her library card, and brought them to her classroom. It was one of the few ways the children gained access to good books in her classroom.

My daughter-n-law offered to help.  She explained that all her earnings she made selling children's books, went to assist kids in Kenya to get good books.  She continued, "But . . ." and was interrupted by Wendy.   The teacher blurted, "We have poor kids right here.  My kids I teach come to school hungry every day.  I use my money to buy food and bring it to school to feed my students in the morning. And, we have no books."  "Yes, I can see that," she compassionately replied.  "That's why I am going to donate all my profits to your school.  To help you get more books for your students."

A Special Teacher.  Perhaps, most will agree that Wendy is a very special teacher.  Teachers receive some bad publicity these days. Sure, there are plenty of points in our educational system to criticize, I suppose.  Yet, there are teachers like Wendy.  Scores of dedicated teachers like her throughout our nation who sacrifice for our children.   They deserve better because they give better.  They give better to make their communities better places.

A Special Daughter-n-Law. Here is another special person!  She seeks no praise for what she's done and continues to do.  In Kenya, the people there offered to name several school libraries after her. She politely turned them down. "There's no need to put my name on your school libraries.  I'm just happy the children have good books to read."  I think of an organization I belonged to for years, Rotary International. Their Club motto is,"Service above self."  Here that motto is perfectly exemplified. 

Special Needs.  Getting hungry students food to eat and books to read is indeed a tragically special need in this great country of ours. Here, two women are doing their part to help underprivileged students in the intercity of Milwaukee.  

May their example be our example to love others more than ourselves.  Wouldn't this great land be a much better and prosperous place if everyone did the same?

Just My Thoughts 

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