Michael received a 10 out of 10 on his paper at school. He hurried home to share his success with his family. When he showed his aunt she told him that had nothing to do with her he should show his grandmother instead of her. His grandmother scolded him for being proud and told him it was his job to get good grades and she did not want to see the good papers only the bad.
Michael, a 13 year-old boy shared this story at the youth
center where I work. He was sad
and angry as he told his story. He
was thinking about only getting bad grades so he could show them to his
grandmother. He has no mother and
his father works most all the time to support the family.
After hearing this story I began to talk to my co-teacher
about the importance of affirmation.
I hear many people tell young people what they do wrong. I suggested not only telling kids what
they do wrong but encouraging them and affirming them when they do things
right.
This was a new idea to the professors. I am happy to say they have tried it a
couple of times. And we started
thinking about having a place where the teens can bring tests they do well on
to hang up for everyone to see.
I personally believe that affirmation is an essential part
of life. By affirming another we
are endorsing their inherent dignity and empowering them to discover the best
in themselves. This is just a
little of the work I have slowly begun at the center where I work.
As my fellow missioners and I did an
evaluation of our health course that we offer to women in prison, I shared with
them some things that still surprise me in our work with women from around the
world. I am still surprised that
the women we encounter know very little about their bodies.
Often when we speak of the
reproductive system it is the first time many of these women have learned about
it. Some of the women who have had
children are surprised to learn facts about pregnancy. I am told a lot of times it is because
in many cultures it is taboo to discuss such things. And many of the women share their stories of inadequate
health care and the inability to go to the doctor.
So in a little classroom in a prison
in Brazil my fellow missioners and I do what we can to educate women. We hope they will not only understand
their bodies, perhaps one day they will also be able to educate their
daughters, granddaughters and nieces.
The following are some remarks
shared by the women:
“I learned
in this course that menopause is normal for a woman’s body. I no longer have to be afraid that I
have a bad sickness, I now know what is happening in my body is natural”. (Woman from Africa)
“I was
never taught about menstruation or other things that happen to a woman’s
body. In my country we don’t go to
a doctor unless we are very sick.
I understand more about my body now”. (Woman from Bolivia)
“I never
knew how to perform a breast exam.
I learned in this course how to do it”. (Woman from Brazil)
“You came to visit us every week and teach us
something. I am so grateful that
you gave your time to visit us here”.
(Woman from Brazil)
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING ME IN MISSION!
Please remember
that MKLM funds my travel, medical, and living expenses, and other costs
associated with keeping me in mission. I ask that you consider donating to the
Maryknoll Lay Missioners so that I, and missioners like me, can continue to
serve those in need worldwide.
You can directly
support my mission work with MKLM. Funds donated will either be applied
directly to support my work, education, and ministries or used to support the
general fund of MKLM. Financial Support can be sent to MKLM, P.O. Box 307,
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307 or online by going to my blog http://2haveafulllife.blogspot.com.br/ from there select the link to MKLM Support My Mission.
****Please write “Carolyn Trumble-
Mission Account” in the memo line or intention box to support me in
mission. All contributions are tax deductible.
