The Pursuit of Education

     Tonight's blog is dedicated to the pursuit of education.  When I was in school I didn't like it much.  It wasn't that I wasn't smart, I was just not interested.  I think some kids love school and some don't.  I grew up to have a daughter who lives and breathes school.  I am a lucky mom.  She works so hard - giving up most evenings to her school work.  In the United States we are very lucky.  School is free, and there is one in just about every neighborhood or town.  We turn teachers away because there aren't enough schools to employ them all.  Then today I learned about a very different reality.
     As many of you know I have begun a journey of faith that is going to take me way outside of my little box and send me on the trip of a lifetime later this year.  After some clarification this morning God sent a young man into my life.  He lives in a refugee camp in the country where I will be traveling to later this year.  He is fourteen years old and desperate to attend school.  After a rather lengthy conversation on facebook this morning I did some digging and he is telling the truth.  He is so close to his dream of attending school again.  He has been declared an orphan and in June he will lose his refugee status.  I suspect he will be staying put and attending school.  He cannot return to his native country as he has nothing or anyone to go back to.  There are some people out there who might think that this has scam written all over it, but I can assure you that is not the case.  Somehow, I am going to help this young man.  I am going to help him because I believe he was sent my way for a reason.  I think he needs some one to believe in him.  He has no family anymore, so who is left to encourage him?  Most kids in school need a cheerleader.  Right now he has none, and I believe he needs somebody. Am I that person, who knows.  I  know I would like to be.  I did state on facebook that I would step out of my comfort zone to help a child, well here is my chance.   He is one of many I am sure.  While I cannot help them all, I can help him.  He reached out and took a chance.  I believe that someday in the future he will make a difference in this world because someone believed in him.
      What is amazing to me is his determination to be his own advocate and get out of a horrible situation.  The human spirit is an amazing thing.  This young man just wants to better himself, and I believe he will do it if given the chance.  I would like to think that with encouragement and the right opportunity this young man will do great things.  When I go on my trip later this year I am going to find him.  I want us to be friends.  He has great courage and the will to change his life and he is only 14 years old.  That to me is just incredible.  Most 14 year olds that I know are concerned with the latest video games, girls and allowance.  Not that those are bad things, they are just far different than what I experienced today.
I will let you know how it all turns out.  I'm hoping that it will turn out well.   Peace.