The Children are our future-Let the Children Be!

Moffat Founder Member

You have heard the story about Mrs. Thompson the elementary school teacher. After learning that one of her worst performing pupil needs help, she steps in and plays the role of a mother figure who has died, the protector from the anguish and loneliness left by the harsh father, and a comrade, colleague and a shoulder deprived by his fellow class mates. We learn that despite the challenges the boy has gone through, he knows for sure there was one love he owed that believed in him despite, the tragedy, the loneliness and the scruffiness that was accompanying every minute he was in school. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/teddy.asp

Mrs. Thompson is an inspiration to all teachers on what is expected of them and what they should do to fix children’s challenges, exclude fear and above all propel them as long as they are alive. Teachers pride themselves for their skills. They got distinction in exams; they scored well in assessment tests and in extracurricular activities they excel and wow their dreams go further to break the glass ceiling. Mrs. Thompson would have been the best teacher but then it is the u turn that brought to her up the wake up call. She had to examine and reshape history by tackling the most difficult problem in class, teaching children to believe themselves, showing them a sense of pride and letting them to lead the way. This is summed up in one of the most electrifying song of the American Singer Whitney Houston, The Greatest Love of All.

“I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be”.

Teachers you have the most challenging yet most gratifying jobs in the whole planet. You are accountable and you must always remember you are the custodian of the next generation. These are pure jewels, very innocent, obedient and ready to learn. You must tread carefully not mislead but let them lead. Children by nature are followers but we can learn to give them a chance for them to know how to lead, we should be watching from some distance not to make them less adventurers. A great adventuring lead to success, soul searching and the rules that comes from the whole sojourning becomes the best lesson. The lesson come from personal experience, that of trial and personal experience.

Parents must have faith in teachers. They must that believe full of conviction that teachers like any other human being need support. Give them the support that looks at the betterment and personal development of the child. The child must be given an opportunity to make decisions that comes from the heart and mind.

Teachers must be role models, child protector and child custodians.

Mentoring is a very tough word. When you mentor, you inspire, you build, you challenge to get better, you show them the reality of life and inspire that the rut will be golden.  Role model the children for them to see exactly what lie ahead.

They wouldn't have the courage to believe they are beautiful if their own teacher won’t appear beautiful before their own eyes. We are always told that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and therefore if the children see beauty in the eyes of their own teacher, the will then belief that they are beautiful, their world is beautiful and that the unknown they are ready to adventure is even more beautiful- their future. Protect your children from emotional break downs, dirty talk, reckless views in clothing and acting and all the abuses they might face from home, on the way to and from, and at school. I remember not long time ago I was carrying my nephew Rafael, as I was crossing the sewer trenches of Kawangware, I slipped and lo, down I went. As I lay down on the stink sewer, I found that I was still holding off tightly of my nephew. He didn't touch any dirty nor did he got to get bruised even got shaken by the pressure of falling. That is exactly what is expected of you on these children. Insulate them with you all you have got. Master the tactics of abuse and hurting that children are prone too, the tools of abuse and the secrets they hide to snare. Let them be held before they advance to destruction.

Let the children be!

Don’t dictate the dream, nurture it to blossom and sprout. Like any other natural herb, tree of flower, any interference breaks its perfect growth and brings artificial growth other than the natural. Well, you don’t take an upper hand but rather aspire to hold their hand. The other day I was in the house and as I sat on the coach waiting for dinner to be served, my 16 months old daughter, Irvinta walked unto me and held my hand. As she grasped me, she led me to the bedroom and showed me the direction where her toys were kept. I was surprised and shocked as well on how she mastered the location. I allowed her to lead the way, I never questioned her adventurous motives and as we reached for the toys I learn that age doesn't deter from becoming and knowing what these little ones want!

Moffat Osoro

Founder FreMo Elementary School and FreMo Medical Centre Nairobi Kenya.