"Ms., what can we do to help Haiti? Not give to Haiti, but help the people help themselves?"
This question was posed to me during breakfast with my first period this morning. Per my students' curiosity, I frequently field questions about my trips to Haiti. Per my students' benevolence, I frequently field suggestions about what we can do to help Haitians. Generally, bids of clothes drives or fundraisers to donate a goat to family bounce off the colorful walls of F-126. During these conversations, the 7:45 bell, which signals the finale of breakfast and commencement of class, comes too quickly and suggestions are left as ideas and little matriculates.
I've always been inspired by my students' innate kindness. My 14 year olds have told me stories of kid-knapped fathers and missing grandfathers, rapes, beatings, and sadistic slayings. However, when I share stories of Haiti, they ask me, "how can we help?"
What was most profound about the comment my student made this morning is that it carried the promise of understanding. She understood that it wasn't helpful to simply donate clothes or buy a family a goat. Somewhere, in her sweet sweet soul, I think she understands something greater. Her question signaled an understanding of equilibrium. If we teach people "how to fish" they will no longer be dependent. Fleeing dependence creates lasting security. This is true help. I'm not positive my 14 year old student knows that as her words were spoken into existence, the soul of the Universe brightened a bit, knowing that another person knows true help is creating self-sus
taining people and communities.
Every single day, my 14 year old could choose to use the chaos around her as an excuse to put her head down, to watch the world pass her. Every single day, she could find a reason to be a victim. Instead, she chooses to be el sol, the sun, because she knows the sun sustains life.
Truly loving is truly helping.
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