The end of the school year

I’ve finished an entire year of teaching (well technically I still have one final exam left then grading to do still, but lessons are over).  And I think, overall, it’s been really good.  Not too bad for a new teacher, teaching for her first time in another country, in another language.  I mean there were certainly those days where I dreaded making the trek to the school and when the students themselves seemed to not want to be there.  It took a few months to get used to the school system and to learn to be totally flexible when surprises came your way like surprise holidays, an unexpected change in the class schedule, or an empty classroom.  But, I think at least some of the students got something out of the class, at least I can hope so.

After my last Biology class, a student thanked me and handed me a letter he had written.  It was definitely a touching moment that I’d like to share.  People always say all the frustrations are worth it if you reach just one student.

Want to practice your Portuguese?  here’s a copy of his letter:

É com grande prazer e enorme satisfação que neste present momento tenho a honra de redigir para desejar a paz, saude, felicidade, uma longa vida, alegria, esperança, amor, sucesso, respeito, harmonia, solidariedade, humildade, amizade, sabedoria, luz, e bom estar nos seus trabalhos diários.

Bom estado de equilíbrio, bons desejos, bom alcance dos seus sonhos, sobre tudo bom regress á terra natal ou de origem EUA e que tenha a vida e terra graças a Deus.

Agradeço e elogio o vosso caminho e bontade, paciência e amor que teve por nos, de modo particular o meu nome pessoal ao long do nosso processo de ensino e aprendissagente do corrent ano 2012.

Muito obrigado professora Sara! Pela generocidade, gentileza e todos valores éticos que nos tem mostrado.

Atravessou rios, lagos, e mares; florestras, savannas, e montanhas; atravessou fronteiras entre continents e países, e passou mais cidades com a compixa de conhecer e transmitir o saber ao povo Moçambicano.  Dando o contributo na luta contra pobreza e para o desenvolviment da nação!

Aceitou sofizer por vários efeitos, tais como diversidade da cultura e humilidade, mas nunca perdeu a força nem vontade do trabalha.  Peço e espero a seus pai todo poderoso que abençoe a senhora professor.

Sem medo de errar sera-me tão dificil esquecer a professor Sara por ter-me levado e deixado no mundo da Biologia sem dúvidas.

Pouco foi o tempo que tivemos, maior é a esperança de que mas um dia faremos se seus quiser; poucas são as palavras que trocamos mas maiores são os conhecimentos que aolquiri senhora professor.

Vosso aluno,

Anifo

Or if you prefer English, i translated it:

It is with great pleasure and enormous satisfaction that in this present moment I have the honor of writing for the wish of peace, health, happiness, a long life, joy, hope, love, success, respect, harmony, solidarity, humility, friendship, wisdom, light and good being in your daily work. 

Good state of balance, good wishes, good reaching of your dreams, about everything, good return to your native land the USA and in which you have a life and land thanks to God.

Thanks and praise for your care, good will, patience, and love that you had for us, particularly for me personally along our process of learning in this current year 2012.

Thank you very much teacher Sara!  For the generosity, kindness and all the valuable ethics that you have shown us.

Across the rivers, lakes, and oceans; forests, savannahs, and mountains; across the borders between continents and countries and past the cities, for the compassion of knowing and transmitting knowledge to the Mozambican people, for giving a contribution to the fight against poverty and for the development of the nation.

You accepted suffering from various effects like diversity of the culture and humility but never lost the force nor the will to work.  I ask for and hope that the all-powerful Father bless you.

Without fear of error, it will be very difficult for me to forget teacher Sara for having led and left me in the world of Biology without doubts.

Short was the time that we had, greater is the hope, but one day we will talk if you wish; few were the words that we exchanged but greater is the knowledge that I acquired teacher.

Your student,

Anifo