Ring, ring…ring? Isn’t the bell supposed to ring? Isn’t today the first day back at school after winter break? Well, yes, but there are no bells ringing at this school. So I arrived in Jo’burg a few days ago and have to say, I just didn’t understand how a school that looks like this really functions. First of all, the school looks nothing like a school. John Gilmour, the founder of LEAP, explained to us a few weeks ago that he thinks it is completely ridiculous that schools spend so much money building facilities when there are plenty of buildings that already exist. This goes to explain why LEAP 1 and 2 are in office buildings and LEAP 3 is in a swinging 70’s ranch house. John G. believes in investing the school’s money in the things on the inside of the building…like teachers! No class at LEAP is over 25 students. The Life Orientation classes (life skills/group counseling) are taught by two teachers. Some teachers have lighter teaching loads so they can split administrative duties. Yes, the science class is taught in what used to be the bar, and the Life Orientation class is taught in the master bedroom (with jacuzzi!), but one of the staff members explained, “we love this place because we want the students to feel at home,” and that they do. At breaks the kids fix themselves a PB&J in the kitchen, lounge in big beanbag chairs next to the pool, and kick soccer balls around in the spacious front yard. Since most students have such cramped, often stressful lives in the townships, it really seems like this is their home away from home. And the students seem to really appreciate it. Not only do they split up cleaning duties to keep up the entire place, but I saw smiles all around and so much focus in the classrooms.
Another exciting feature on the property is the barn. We actually started the day with a “community meeting” in the barn. Everyone dragged a chair over from the main house, set them up, and to my surprise, two students stood up and led the meeting while the staff sat in back. One boy, Tommy, started out by asking for a bit of reflection on the holiday events. There had been a few activities organized for the students to participate in over the break and he wanted people to report back. Students were pretty shy, but slowly stood up and gave some details. After a few students stood up and said they went to the zoo and saw some pretty cool animals, the student facilitator interrupted and said, “Look, you are only stating the obvious. You know you should be sharing what you learned, how you were challenged and how you faced those challenges. You should also be using this time to thank those who helped provide this opportunity for you.” Another student also stood up and said, “I also notice that people are laughing at those who are sharing. It is tough to stand up and talk. Some people may be sharing things that are meaningful, so we need to be respectful of that and not laugh.” After that the sharing became much deeper. Students who had the opportunity to take the five-day trip to Cape Town (with an 18 hour bus ride each way!) shared how it was a life changing experience for them. Others shared the challenges of bonding with the students from LEAP 1&2.
After everyone finished sharing, Tommy shared his experience. He attended a leadership conference that encouraged dialogue between white and black students from different schools across South Africa. He split a dorm with a white student who opened up to him right away and even engaged him in a pillow fight on the first night. For some reason, he explained, he just could not feel comfortable, “I realized that apartheid was over for him a long time ago, but I am still holding it in here,” he said with his hands on his heart. He continued, “but I learned that I have the power to make things change.”
Seeing Tommy take ownership of his feelings and realize that he is part of a powerful change was unbelievable to me. Even though he is still the victim of a horrible, completely unequal society, he was not pointing fingers and putting blame on others for the injustices he sees around him. He only looked forward to the hope that he sees in South Africa’s future. He was so full of hope that he continued speaking for 10 more minutes, non-stop. Each point was as meaningful as the first. Throughout his long speech, the kids started getting a little antsy, but not one single cell phone went off, not one laugh or rude comment either.
Tommy ended his reflection by saying, “At the conference I learned that a leader is like the tip of an arrow. In order for the arrow to pierce something and make an impact, it has to have the power and force of its people behind it. One cannot work without the other.” Again, I was so impressed. Everyone clapped and finally an adult stood up to speak about some logistics regarding the day’s schedule…oh yeah! That’s right…we were at school. I had forgotten that again.
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