Forever a Student

Vanchan is one of the high school students in my Teacher Training Class.  Last week, their homework was to prepare for "Show & Tell."  They were supposed to bring in something they made, explain how they made it, and tell why they made it.  I gave a list of many examples.  Vanchan performed a magic trick.  He filled a tin cup with rice, and picked it up with a bamboo chopstick.  It was really clever and entertaining. 

 

There are three boys in the class, and they all look almost identical, so I kept getting their names confused, and it was embarrassing.  One day, I decided to make up rhymes to help me remember them.  They thought it was hilarious.  I said, "Vireak is so sweet."  "Vanchan is so handsome."  I kept the last one to myself.  "Panchack Roth is not the sharpest crayon in the box."

 

It was Vanchan's birthday this week, and since thee are only 7 students in the class, I make it a point to acknowledge their birthdays.  At the end of class, I lit my big candle that I use when the power goes out (like it just did two minutes ago), and we sang Happy Birthday to him.  I told him to make a wish and blow out the candle.  Then,  I gave him a big plastic heart-shaped box filled with jelly beans, and I gave the rest of the students chocolate cupcakes.  It was simple and silly but the best I could do. 

 

After class, Vanchan hung around until all the students had left, and he said, "Thank you teacher for the first celebrating birthday in my life."  I gave him a hug.  When he left I stood there in shock, with my hands on my heart, and tried not to cry. 

 

Sometimes, I have a bad day.  I can't sleep.  I get up cranky, depressed, and wonder how I am supposed to function.  But then, as soon as I open my door, small children run over, wrap their arms around me, and hold me so tight that I can't breathe.  They look up at me with their little puppy dog eyes, and I return the same look of adoration. 

 

I came here to Cambodia to teach.  But I am not the teacher.  I am the learner.  My students teach me every day what is important in life.  Despite all the effort, heartache, and challenges, this has been the most wonderful, amazing thing I have ever done.