Graduation

I've had an odd relationship with the Year Two kids. I came in more than halfway through their time at Bina Hill, so it seemed harder to get to know them, and they me. It took longer to learn their names, longer to get most of them to talk to me, and even then only a handful seemed to ever really get comfortable around me. One or two never even got to more than "yes, Miss" or "no, Miss" until the last month before they graduated.

Nevertheless, I was excessively proud as thirty-four of them graduated on the 19th of July. It was the largest class yet to graduate, and they'd worked so hard for it. The biggest issue I've had holding my tongue has been when other adults-- highly respected people-- come in to give "motivational" speeches, and instead denigrate the students: telling them that they have failed, they need to work harder, that they are stupid. I've walked out on more than one of these. These kids have worked hard. In two years here, they've planted hundreds of fruit trees that they won't get to see produce. They've planted and replanted the gardens every time the weather or the cattle destroyed things due to inadequate fencing. They've fundraised at every opportunity even though the funds go "missing." They've kept the grounds beautiful; raking every morning, cleaning up the garbage the donkeys knock over every night, even whitewashing rocks and trees (which was just bizarre to me). They've learned wood sculpting and weaving, and are told the value of those things, but never their own value. Some of them worked harder in classes than most students back in the U.S. It's true that some did not, and it's also true that some still fell through the cracks in the system, but I did not meet one single "stupid" kid there. I wish the teachers or the Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs or any of the other speakers could have told them that.

Okay, rant aside, graduation did not go smoothly. The caps and gowns were ordered late, and then the administration mishandled the funds for decorations. The students made do with what they had, and frantically decorated at the last minute. There were no caps, and a good number of the graduates didn't have gowns either. Almost every high-profile invitee backed out at the last minute, so those who were supposed to speak or hand out awards had to be replaced by whoever happened to be on-hand at the time. Now you know why it was a Peace Corps Volunteer handing out the diplomas. The students were subjected to a congratulatory speech by one of the few officials who DID show up, but it was a speech that never once said "congratulations" and instead focused mainly on how the students were to blame for their bus being wrecked (not the case. If you look at my previous entry, you'll see they had nothing to do with it.) and how they hoped the future students wouldn't waste their time here like these ones supposedly had. Oops, I said I was done ranting. Sorry, it just slipped out.

Even so, they graduated with smiles, and are off on their various adventures now. Hopefully some of them will keep in touch and let us know how they are doing. Congratulations!