Week 11
1071 words by samanthahicks
First, I would like to thank everyone who made suggestions and critical comments on my project and also for taking an interest in my original idea. A lot of comments made by bloggers said that they were sorry that my project didn’t go as planned. I am actually delighted that it did not become too successful. Because of my project change, I think I have benefited more from its implementation. I now have a hands on experience instead of long distance communication. The children I have met are wonderful, despite some of their behavioral issues.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t the least bit intimidated when interacting with the youth. This epiphany has helped me confirm my true calling: working with youth. I don’t care what career path I end up in, I will always try and extend a hand to our future. This is what I enjoy the most. Some of the bloggers have been mentors in the past and can relate to my experience. I encourage others to not shy away from mentoring opportunities. A lot of times kids just need someone to listen to. This happens to be the case with the child that was partnered up with me through the Langston Hughes Charter School Tutoring/Mentoring Program. After my first meeting with the student I was informed that I was given the “problem child” of the group, because the teacher over the program was impressed with my mentoring skills and enthusiasm towards the program. My mentee hasn’t shown me her bad side as of yet but I’m pretty sure it has the potential to come out. From jump I was thoroughly impressed with her communication skills and academic skills. Immediately, she brought out her homework and we began to work on it. Now mind you there school starts around 8am and they get out of classes at 4:30pm and then she stays for an extra hour to spend time with the mentoring/tutoring program. That’s a lot of work for a 10 year old! She never seemed restless, only motivated about her academics.
I did leave one detail out. My mentee was actually in a program the Charter school has penned “Choices” when I first arrived at the school. “Choices,” is a actually a very misleading name for what it actually represents. “Choices” is after school detention. I know what your thinking, and no she’s not a delinquent, she just has a smart mouth like most students who are bored in class, because the information comes with ease. As she put it, (in her New Orleans accent) she “back sassed Mr. Floyd” and ended up in after school detention. This was actually a good day for me to be there, because we discussed the situation and what she should do next time a similar situation presents itself. To be honest with you it was hard for me to believe that such a ladylike girl could get blatantly disrespect a teacher, but I don’t put that passed anyone. Working with her has truly been a blessing, because when I see her faults I automatically think about what I can do to improve myself. This relationship will be beneficial to us both and we can grow with one another. Instead of attacking her flaws I tell her what I can work on. I told her that some things that I can work on are my patience, spirituality, and defensiveness. Hopefully, this will influence her improvement and motivate her positively, instead of leading her to believe that she’s the only one with vices. I feel that the charter school has singled her out and by doing so it causes her to act out even more.
For my original project, which is to solicit funds from corporations for those in need to ultimately teach the youth about the importance of giving I will continue to work closely with my mother during the holidays when school is in session in Michigan.
Tobit is an Israelite that has been taken captive by the Assyrians. He is also a grave digger. He digs graves while acknowledging the Almighty. The Assyrians have strict orders against praising God. One night Tobit falls asleep while digging a grave and wakes up to find out that the birds that prey in the cemeteries have released fecal matter on his eyes which causes him to go blind. This situation is extremely humiliating and disheartening to Tobit and makes him want to commit suicide. Remembering a debt owed to him he decides not to commit suicide and instead sends his son Tobias to the land of Media to collect the debt. I guess around the same time a girl named Sarah wants to die, because a demon causes her husbands to die, before she gets to consummate the marriage. God hears their prayers and sends Raphael and angel of healing to aid them. Raphael is actually the one who joins Tobias on his travels to Media. Along the way a big fish tries to eat Tobias, but does not succeed. Tobias and Raphael eat the fish and save the liver, heart, and gall bladder for future use, as instructed by God. When they reach Media the home tat they happen to stay at is Sarah. Tobias and Sarah fall in love and get married. They are able to consummate the marriage, because Raphael imprisons the demon. They return to Tobit, happily married, and rub the fish gall bladder in his eyes. This practice returns his eyesight. The moral of the story is to keep your faith no matter the situation. You never know what God has in store for you.
The Maccabees are considered to be heroic, because when the Jews rebelled against Antiochus it ultimately led to the independence of the Jews. Antiochus is a leader that didn’t allow the Jews to practice their religion and to add more disrespect he burnt a sacrifice to a Greek god at the altar in the Jerusalem Temple. The Maccabee revolt was led by Judah who is the son of Matthias. Matthias was the originator of the revolt. He killed many officials who implemented laws against Jewish tradition. After his passing the revolt leadership position was handed down to Judah, also known as “Maccabee.”