So as I bumped and jutted my way up the dirt track that leads to my school on top of a large mountain in the Andes, I wondered what the hell I was doing and why I hadn't spent my hard earned money on a beach holiday somewhere sunny. Instead I had signed myself up for six weeks of getting out of my bed at 6AM, enduring 2 hours of the bumpy and terrifying commute up the steep mountain track. (This all supplemented with the occasional push of the bus out of the mud ruts). And then five hours of trying to get small people to learn in a product get fun manner.
The welcome alone, however, made it all worthwhile....
Having not been to school since I was 15, some 16 years ago, I was more than a little apprehensive about re-entering the fray in the role of a teacher, especially as on the last day of my own school years I distinctly remember muttering the words I'm never ever going back to school ever again!'So as I bumped and jutted my way up the dirt track that leads to my school on top of a large mountain in the Andes, I wondered what the hell I was doing and why I hadn't spent my hard earned money on a beach holiday somewhere sunny. Instead I had signed myself up for six weeks of getting out of my bed at 6AM, enduring 2 hours of the bumpy and terrifying commute up the steep mountain track (This all supplemented with the occasional push of the bus out of the mud ruts) and then five hours of trying to get small people to learn in a product get fun manner.
The welcome alone, however, made it all worthwhile....
That first morning I slammed my head against the window as the bus rocked violently, which made me feel nauseous being at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level. I saw the tiny school and twenty odd children rushed enthusiastically towards our small yellow vehicle.
The door of the bus was flung open then every member of the school would stretch their small hands and say Buenos días señorita!' severely hindering your exit from the bus. No hand was ever missing, no child ever thought of not participating from the frantic greeting, furious was the determination to shake each volunteers hand. Hands came from all angles, through windows, over the shoulder of others, for we were the foreigners from down the mountain. On those mornings never did I feel my presence taken for granted or my contribution not appreciated. I will always remember their faces. It melted my heart and for a stony hearted girl that takes some doing.
