Somewhere in the Future

"Everyone needs to close their eyes and imagine themselves in the future"

I'm standing in front of my Form Ones at Seet Kobar Secondary school on Friday. Its the end of the lesson and we are wrapping up everything we have learned this week. They have their eyes closed, seating in their wooden desks, some are squinting, trying to peak at me at the front of the class. They are all in uniform. Navy blue sweaters, and red ties are scattered across the student collective. Its raining outside, but for this moment, the rain has slowed a little and its only tapping lighting on the tin roof of the class room.

"Everyone, is picturing themselves in the future. I want you to see yourself right now, see how successful you are, see that you have gotten to exactly where you wanted to be. Do you know why you have gotten there Form One? You got there because you worked hard to get there and you didn't let a single thing stop you."

Some of the students have opened their eyes and are looking at Bryan, Mercy and me. I want these students to know so badly, that they have the power to succeed in doing anything they want. I want them to know that we believe in them, and that they should believe in themselves.

"Knowledge is power Form Ones, and you now have knowledge. You have the knowledge you need to go out into your communities and start changing other peoples lives. Start spreading this information you have learned so that more people can benefit from this knowledge. Spread the knowledge you have learned about HIV/AIDS, about gender roles and responsible sexuality and as a generation of youth from Canada, Kenya and everywhere, we are all going to start making change"

At this point most of the kids have opened their eyes and we are all standing there together in the classroom, red dirt floors, cloudy chalkboard, the rain still falling on the tin roof.

I think this was where I realized how lucky I was to be standing here in this moment, with these students. Together we were all excited. We were all excited because they were ready to go out and create change. I think at that point the students began to feel like everything Bryan Mercy and I had been teaching them this week was clear. I think we helped them to realize what an important role they played in helping to create change in their communites and their own lives.

To say the least, it was the most amazing feeling ever. I'm so thankful to be here in Kenya, teaching with the YESS members and together helping these students to realize their potential and to realize that they have the power to make change and in their lives.

"So Form One, I'm going to ask you a question. Are you somewhere in the future, do you look much better than you look right now?"

The Form Ones burst out in unison many with smiles on their face chanting back,

"I'm somewhere in the future and I look much better than I look right now!"

-Courtney