LET THE RIGHT BE WRONG

“Wait a minute!” I said contesting a seemingly wrong phrase. No one’s perfect after all – it could be the composer’s mistake or the one interpreting the song. So I listened to the lyrics repeatedly to get the whole picture. Then I understood how these adjectives are reversely used.

   

Non-western like me grew up hearing the other way around. Instead “let the wrong be right” addressing every evil deed obvious in the naked eyes. But there are actually so many right things needed to be treated wrong. And these are epidemics one society thinks normal.

Then I can cite as many examples possible. But I am afraid couldn’t count them with my ten fingers and ten toes alone. They are too many to mention if truth to be told. Cheating for instance, oh, now I’m saying it.

As an educator, I haven’t seen a culture where cheating is so much acceptable and tolerable. It’s only in this workplace of mine. I’m only talking about cheating in exams, quizzes, homework, and the like. They have deeper issue of course or deeper level to be exact. And who am I to name them one by one.

Honestly, they’re difficult people to deal with taking this issue in hand. Again I’m only talking about mentality – still they are one of the sweetest, friendliest, and kindest groups of people I have known.

For years I tried addressing the issue among my students. There may be times I was so impatient and have embarrassed them a lot, but I regretted for doing so. Then I tried to be creative dealing this problem - it worked for me, but not for them.

I thought have proved myself the best solution – I have, but only in my own classroom. Once a habit, it’s always a habit. I hope one day they’ll realize the importance of honesty. I earnestly hope!

I tried to encourage them in many instances and opportunities. They had constant admonition and hadn’t lack reminders. When they come the next day, it’s the same. Thought it would be a new day – sad to say it wasn’t.

Have fought a lot in nice and gentle manners making this right wrong, but they still don’t understand my intention, and so I don’t understand theirs. Where cheating is a norm; where wrong is treated right, all my finite being could do is to keep wondering, endlessly.

But why cheat when there are other good ways?

Why cheat when there are good options?

That’s when I understand that shame is more important than integrity or honor. It took me years to comprehend all. In simple and complex scenarios, they rather trade their honor or integrity than caught shameful. Isn’t it funny?

Since then, I stopped embarrassing my students even if they were caught cheating. But I lay all the consequences on the table before they take any assessment tests such as: papers would be marked zero (instead of tearing them apart in front of the class); they would fail the term automatically, and many more.

I give warnings every now and then speaking to the whole class – not one in particular. I still reserve my kindness instead of anger. I don’t know how effective it would be, but proving something a little like this is already a BIG start.

This is all I wanted to prove without condemnation. Hope one day they would grasp this totally. Someday when they’re all ready enough to change a habit, a bad habit, then it all makes sense – let the right be wrong. 

  

ONE LITTLE TEACHER

Normally, learners who come in at the center are capable enough to cope up with the designed programs. If we had ones who couldn't, then it's a rare case. It happened few times, but I always had people to give a hand. 

I trained them. 

I made sure a remedy in case it happens.

Thought had anticipated this case ahead, but I failed one thing. Not my mistake actually because these kids came in a month later. And so I was caught oh-oh about the situation. Besides, these programs are not for toddlers like their age. They're too young to be at the center.

I am not running an orphanage (laugh out loud) obviously, but sending these kids home is not the solution to this tiny problem at the moment. And so I had to encourage my kids to work hand-in -hand with me. And this one little teacher is one of those willing helpers.

Little in this context doesn't mean short or small. He's actually taller than I, and big enough to be classified a small boy. Calling this teenager (a 14-year-old) one little teacher simply means young.

He is the youngest teacher we have so far, but he can teach well. He's got big BRAIN, big HEART, big PASSION, and big DREAM for other kids too. "I want every student can speak better or fluent English" his constant admonition every time he's invited to give a short speech.

Theara, known for his name has been my interpreter for two years. He's a bright and studious student. He's hardworking in school, at the center, and at home. I'm very confident in his ability to explain things I couldn't - in Khmer of course. I featured him once sometime last year. I, the teachers, and friends here are always proud and happy for his accomplishments. We do!

This summer may turned in a slight different beyond expectation - having very young learners around, but my heart is at eased finally. Thank God for these willing individuals taking care of the kids in my behalf. If not for them, I could have sent back these kids home (if no one would teach them). 

Thank God for this one little teacher. 

WRITE FOR LIFE

One of the bravest things I did in the world of writing was to join Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. I didn't realize I ventured big time. I sent entries couple of times. And none of those won any awards. But I pursued my dream.

Joining this prestigious awards is also discouraging at times. I felt this way every time my piece of work wasn't chosen to top. Good for those whose names are already in the Hall of Fame. That's life - some win, and some don't. But losing won't keep me from writing and sending entries. I still write.   

Not to sour grape the scenario, now it's not about winning anymore - it's about trying. I've learned this wisdom from my favorite writers - Ate Grace Chong and JR Chong who are successfully blessed in this path; and who have harvested awards in this literary competition in particular. While I, still trying. 

My blog (http://libod-libod.blogspot.com/) was conceived because of these two influential writers. More than just suggesting, they inspired me to create one. I've attempted twice - the first one didn't turn out well.

Now, I am keeping one for almost 4 years with or without readers. Thanks for such an access through e-blogger account. I still share my heart out, and will continually speak out my mind. Mine is the quietest blog has ever existed having one single follower (Jane, my classmate in secondary school) has signed up. Thanks to her! I feel honored.

My stat helps me update readers and visitors. As always, I get unpleasant tally. But It doesn't mater, reading is one's choice. You can't force someone to drop by one's blog. A lot of times (my) expected readers are just clanging cymbals full of promises. They don't really read your stories. That's what I have learned from blogging.

Have I been tempted to stop blogging?

The answer is clear - YES,  like hundred times. I also have thought many times that writing isn't really for me, but that's when I focused so much on winning and how much visitors my blog gets.

I am reminded that this isn't all about fame or whose blog gets a lot of avid fans - I write because I want to bless, encourage, and inspire others as well. I will write for life. It's my new definition of blogging.

EVEN AT THE HARSHEST AND AWFULLEST OF THE WEEK

Last weekdays was a harsh one for me. It was like a gloomy summertime. My kids at the center were just so nasty. They stressed me out a lot to death. And so I had to be harsher dealing them - it worked. And also I had to calm down and give up minding every single mess and unpleasant thing around.

Then followed by an awful weekend. I could not stand seeing those wasted rice like buckets of them at the kitchen. "What is this?" I exclaimed in horrible surprise. I called everyone's attention and preached the same thing again and again and again. I felt so bored about this nagging not put to heart! 

I wish I haven't said the worst statement, but I had to. This is what I told them: I wish you could also experience a severe famine even for a week so you''d learn to value every single grain God has blessed us. I don't know how much they've understood it, for sure they were surprised. I have tried my hardest to remind them sweet and harsh constantly, but they still don't get the point. It happened many times.

Maybe from where I come from every gain is treasured.We had experienced the worst in life such as  famine, drought, and even nightmare one would not want to happen again - and they haven't yet. And so they don't get my point. 

Maybe I should not compare my life in the past because it's mine - and theirs are different. But they see with their own eyes how their parents toil, plow, plant, and farm rain and shine just to live. And even these kids have done the same hardship under the sun. Then it's an enough reason to know why must not waste a lot of rice. 

What a harsh weekdays! What an awful weekend! I wish these days weren't made. But I have learned in life that even in the harshest and the awfullest, one can still learn a precious lesson out of these - for me to be a courageous father constantly reminding these naive kids. It's a challenge, but I pray someday, somehow that this constant nagging would turn a golden rule to live by.

Now, even at the harshest and the awfullest of the week, life is still beautiful. One must just try to see the good side it brings.

FEATURING COFFEE

It's not about an addictive drink one fancies - it's a puppy. I gave her this name because she looks like a coffee milk to me. Fortunately, she is very friendly and clever. Besides, an owner wouldn't find her difficult to feed - she eats anything chewable.

Coffee has arrived two weeks ago. I almost sent her back to the village because of two other nasty puppies before her. And so I made a new rule about having no pets around. "NO MORE PETS ALLOWED AT THE CENTER" I announced it crisp and clear.

When I came home one afternoon from the internet shop, I saw a student playing a puppy.  

"Whose puppy is it? Didn't I tell everyone no more pets allowed here?" I asked.

Only to know, she was one of our teachers' pet. And when I insisted to send the puppy back to where it was taken from, this lovely creature ran to me begging. She did all the acting, and groaning one legalistic man can change his mind.

And I changed my mind.

 

I was surprised to see such a cute creature to understand everything I said, and my intention. So clever of her! She could have had an Oscar Award. Everyone clapped when I announced that she could stay. It took humility to eat my words back (laugh out loud).

Then I named her coffee. I was amazed too because it only took few seconds to instill that name in her brain. One tried to change her name but it didn't work out. Maybe she likes the sound of a coffee or the calling itself. Or maybe I'm just good at naming names because it always stood them all (even the cats' names at the center).


And then I fed this puppy her first meal. Wow, she ate a lot like hasn't been fed for a long time.We don't have a hard time giving coffee food. The only issue we have is that she never stops eating. We really have to control that habit for her not to die.

She is the fifth puppy we have so far, and the second one so attached to me. Pakingking was the first one I was attached to. I featured him last year, too. He was here last summer. But I had to send him back because the owner never took care of him well. Now another lovely puppy (coffee) this summer.

 

I thought we would have two beautiful puppies before coffee but those little creatures were so strange that no one could pet. I haven't seen so unfriendly and messy puppies like they were. They were very cute though - only they barked, screamed and pooped a lot. None at the center finds them adorable. And so I had to give them back to our Director's care since he got a bigger place for these puppies to run around.

Coffee is very adorable and funny at times. She surprises me everyday with her behavior. She is the sweetest puppy I know. She is so affectionate. The only problem I have are my two cats - they are unfriendly to her. They don't like coffee around. I'd say, they don't get along but the never fight.

Simple Happiness

Culturally, these kids don't really celebrate birthdays at home - they have more important celebrations than this. 

Commercials in various forms have influenced the country itself - families (not all though) have now become accustomed following this western tradition.   

When I came at the center, I was surprised to know that these kids actually treasure and anticipate such a get-together. What more surprising to me is the way they organize it uniquely. I had a unique celebration last year for the first time ever - right here at the center with these kids. 

We (I and these kids) are now used to this simple thoughts a way to remember individuals dear to us. Thanks to these kids for teaching me lessons out of this thoughtful initiative. It's not just the celebration itself.

As usual, one initiates and informs that it's a dear friend's birthday. At the end of that effort, you'd come to know that each kid has already a gift prepared. But don't expect an elegant one -they are just dependent kids. It's the thought that counts. See how thoughtful these kids are.

Another person is in charged of collecting a little amount of money - enough to buy fruit and cheap cakes. These are two important things to prepare on the table. Then they have something to enjoy together. If one or two volunteered to buy drinks or some food, it's more happier then. This is helping one another and they work hand in hand on this.

 

 

 

This is how they simply do it here - every celebration is so simple. If you are surrounded with friends who can afford more than this (the fancy ones) or if you are used to elegant celebration, you would come to know that life isn't all this. The simplicity of life can still bring so much joy in us. They have taught me that.

When I look at these kids, I think of other kids who are so much blessed but unhappy and satisfied. If only opportunity would bring them here, then they will see the difference.

Simplicity or Elegance, they don't matter actually, it's the attitude of the heart. After all, it's not in the material thing one can truly define joy and satisfaction. Just learn to be happy in every way or in every little way.

YOUNG BUILDERS

Adult has a tendency to underestimate youngsters. That's definitely a human instinct. But if oldies are humble enough to admit - we (including myself) would learn that there are still bulks of things adults are incapable of doing. In fact, it doesn't take a higher degree to learn that.

When I declared a Volunteer's Day at the center few months ago, that experience taught me something Universities hadn't. I've learned mixing cements to form blocks, floors, and walls through my kids who rolled up their sleeves willingly. If not for these skilled children, we would not be able to repair and reconstruct our toilets. I was amazingly surprised compared to urban and rural young people. I featured this story in January - I Volunteer! Please visit the previous postings to read the article.

I was away for almost two months for a sabbatical leave. But I was constantly informed of the many changes happening around. And in my return stood before me a new school - bigger, wider, and longer than what we had. I wish was there to learn once more about new complex things at the feet of these kids - to build a school . It was really hard to imagine at first, but it was true enough.These young builders did it.

 

From now on the kids can study well rain or shine; their teachers aren't worried anymore. We can learn a conducive way. It don't matter how many kids come and go, we've got the gift of a shelter - a simple place where wisdom and knowledge from teachers are freely given.

Thanks to the big, big HEART of  every sponsor whose thoughtfulness abounds. Thanks for remembering these kids that they may witness true examples of kindness, selflessness, giving, helping, and caring. We are forever grateful for this one big HELP.

 

At night, when bedrooms aren't enough to accommodate us, we can use the classrooms to sleep tight with an assurance to gain enough strength till the break of dawn. Then we will have sweet dreams and real goodnight sleeps.

Thanks to these young builders who are kind enough to share their skills that each one may have a place to learn and sleep. Thanks to their willingness to take part making each desire come true. I salute you all and so proud of you guys.

 

A building, a kind giver, a willing builder, all these are meaningless without acknowledging the Provider of every blessing great and small. Thank God for the wonderful gift of life and for continually amazes our naked eyes.