Heather in Neverland Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Today our school hosted a group of children from a refugee center not too far from here. Malaysia has tens of thousands of refugees from Myanmar. They cannot get work permits and most are forced to beg in order to survive. A group of people started an educational center to help educate the children of these refugees. Some of our teachers have built relationships with these centers and so we had their students here today to visit with ours. We played games, had lunch together, shared letters, etc. It was a wonderful day. What was really amazing was the look on the children's faces when they saw the ocean (our school is located literally right on the beach). They had never seen it before and they just stood there mesmerized. We sent them home with care packages our children packed themselves. After we gathered for a group photo the refugee children all came over to me to say goodbye. Because I am the principal I hold a position of high authority in their eyes and each of them, one by one, came up to me, kissed my hand and touched it to their forehead. I couldn't help it. I burst into tears. And I'm not a crier. They were so grateful for everything we had done. One little girl started crying because she didn't want to leave. We are so blessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Well gosh, I am tearing up, too, just imagining it. What an amazing experience! The opportunity to be a part of that makes up for a lot of not so good days, doesn't it. All those children kissing your hand... most precious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Well gosh, I am tearing up, too, just imagining it. What an amazing experience! I couldn't have said it better myself. It's so good to help someone else in need. It really is more blessed to give that to receive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 All those children kissing your hand... most precious. Ok, don't laugh, but I have the strangest urge to NOT wash the back of my hand after all those precious kisses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Ok, don't laugh, but I have the strangest urge to NOT wash the back of my hand after all those precious kisses. Awwww! That is so sweet. I don't blame you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Awwww! That is so sweet. I don't blame you. :grouphug: :iagree: not laughing at you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 What a touching experience, Heather. I would have been moved to tears as well and wouldn't want to wash my hand either. Thank you for sharing that all with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 What a touching experience, Heather. I would have been moved to tears as well and wouldn't want to wash my hand either. Thank you for sharing that all with us. :iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in AUS Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 That is a beautiful story. What a touching experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Well Heather, you are in good company. I am not a crier but I can tell you that if I had experienced that, I would have blubbered like a baby! Thank you for coordinating that event; I have a very deep soft spot for the children of the world. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Wow, that made me tear up! Such a blessing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Oh my goodness, I would have cried too. That is precious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 Thank you for coordinating that event; I have a very deep soft spot for the children of the world. Faith I have to give the credit to the teachers and students as they really did all the work. And I have to say they learned more through this experience than they would have on any regular class day. They left school that day changed... thankful for the blessings in their lives and motivated to help others less fortunate...a amore important lesson than they could get in a math class. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 How could you not cry? I almost cried reading the post. I too was mesmerized the first time I saw an ocean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 :iagree:not laughing at you! me either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 This is a beautiful story - just precious. You know, Heather, you've got enough material from your experiences there to write a very inspiring, encouraging book. Have you thought you might do that someday? I really think you should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 This is a beautiful story - just precious. You know, Heather, you've got enough material from your experiences there to write a very inspiring, encouraging book. Have you thought you might do that someday? I really think you should. :iagree::iagree::iagree: Oh, yes!!! Hope you're keeping a journal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I'm tearing up, too. *sniffle* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Food4Thought Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I'm tearing up, too. *sniffle* Me too. I *am* a crier. I would have cried when they saw the ocean and never stopped the whole day! What a beautiful gift of a day. Thanks for sharing it with us. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 How could you not cry? I almost cried reading the post. I too was mesmerized the first time I saw an ocean. I sort of felt like I am this "professional" and I should have acted more respectable.:tongue_smilie: But no way! The first little child, in her dirty hijab and tattered clothes, that took my hand, clasped it in both of her hands, kissed it softly and pressed it to her forehead while bowing...IT WAS ALL OVER....mascara was streaming down my face. I was an emotional wreck the rest of the day. In fact, I am getting all teary-eyed writing about it right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialmama Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I sort of felt like I am this "professional" and I should have acted more respectable.:tongue_smilie: But no way! The first little child, in her dirty hijab and tattered clothes, that took my hand, clasped it in both of her hands, kissed it softly and pressed it to her forehead while bowing...IT WAS ALL OVER....mascara was streaming down my face. I was an emotional wreck the rest of the day. In fact, I am getting all teary-eyed writing about it right now. I think you acted like a perfectly professional Human Being with a heart... how could someone not cry? Thank you for sharing Heather. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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