LISTEN… KINDNESS has a VOICE.

I love to hear what students have to say as their thoughts on life are often inspiring and challenging. 

I remember teaching about the Poverty Cycle to my Year 10 Social Studies class. Diagrams and explanations were ready but I instinctively knew that my lesson still lacked something. Perhaps I should ask one of my ex-refugee students to tell us a story about their lives growing up in difficult circumstances. John was a very quiet, diligent African student and to my surprise he agreed to speak and without any preparation began to tell a story about life in his village. John stood proudly and spoke with conviction and honesty about having to get water every day for his family from a well a few kilometres away. 

The class was silent. 

He described how his shoulders hurt, the oppressive heat, dangers on the way and no guarantee of finding water. John was brilliant. His voice carried words of truth, pain and joy. There wasn’t a hint of self pity. 

When he finished, the class broke out into spontaneous applause. 

His words humbled us all. 

POINTS to PONDER

Empathy can take many forms. We need to listen to peoples’ stories as they can often get to the essence of what it means to struggle and ultimately succeed.

By listening, we honour the speaker and are reminded to be grateful for what we have.

When listening, be fully engaged. Open your mind and shut your mouth.