Jesse McKenna '01
Water, food, clothes, shoes, teachers, and a family. As a
child growing up on the North Shore, I took these things for granted; however,
after the seven months I spent this year in East Africa, I realize how
fortunate I was to have all of these things during my childhood. During my time abroad, I
volunteered at two orphanages and one tribal school. Initially, I decided to
volunteer in Tanzania because I wanted to deliver care to orphans and teach
English; however, I had no idea how much help was truly needed. I returned only three
months later because I saw how much of an impact I could make in these
children’s lives and how much assistance is required on an everyday basis at
schools and orphanages throughout Tanzania and Kenya.
The children at the orphanages have survived neglect, abuse,
and starvation. It is upsetting to learn their pasts, yet inspiring and
uplifting to see that with proper care and attention, they can flourish. Both
orphanages provide the children with good nutrition, clothing, and an education. The children are
incredibly bright, and the majority of them are at the top of their class at
school while also excelling in arts and athletics. Most importantly, the kids
go to bed at night with full stomachs and smiles on their faces.
The orphan crisis that I witnessed first hand during my
first trip to Tanzania in August 2008 left a permanent imprint on my life. I
realized how truly fortunate I am to have not one but two parents who care
deeply for me. During this trip, I lived at an orphanage that cared for
forty-two children ages two to twelve (as of July 2009, there are sixty-seven
children). The children had been orphaned because of disease, accidents, and
cultural clashes.
During my last week at the orphanage, a fifteen month-old
girl weighing fifteen pounds with no name was brought to live at the orphanage.
Her father was unknown, and her mother suffers from severe mental illness and
was unable to care for the girl. During the week I spent with this girl, she
cried non-stop unless she was held. It was clear that no one had ever cared for
her during her lifetime. If the social workers had not found her, she likely would
have starved to death.
Natalie, the name she was given upon arrival, is now doing better
than could ever have been expected. She turned two years old in April and is
learning to speak both Kiswahili and English. It’s hard to find a baby anywhere
as chunky as Natalie now is. Natalie’s story is just one of many that makes me
beyond appreciative for the care given to me by family and friends.
My time at the tribal school was very different than at the
orphanage. I dealt with children whose only meal was the school lunch and whose
uniforms were tattered beyond belief. The children, ages two to sixteen, some
of whom walked up to seven miles each way, were often barefoot and filthy due
to the drought. These children had a strong desire to learn, and despite their
struggles, still managed to smile and laugh throughout the day. The time I
spent volunteering gave me a new outlook on life and made me thankful everyday
for the little things in life I once took for granted.
The struggling education systems in both Tanzania and Kenya remind
me constantly of how lucky I was to attend schools with incredible teachers. At
three of the schools I taught at during my time in East Africa, I saw how the
education system fails students from nursery school up through secondary school
on a daily basis. Teachers fail to show up on many days, and beating students
is legal, so even when teachers are present the classroom, the learning
situation is hardly ideal.
My volunteer experience made me aware of how fortunate I was to have received a
Shore education. At Shore I had teachers who showed up everyday, made sure I
understood each lesson, and truly cared about me as an individual. The lessons
I learned at Shore went far beyond the classroom. Shore’s commitment to
teaching children about caring, kindness, and giving is extraordinary and makes
an impact on its students. I believe Shore’s dedication to character development
and moral responsibility has impacted my commitment to helping disadvantaged
people throughout the world.
My experiences in the orphanages and schools I volunteered at
have shaped my life and forever changed the way I see the world. I have chosen
to pursue my masters in international public health so that one day I will be
able to make a significant impact on the health of those who currently are
silently suffering. I was inspired by my college president to lead a life of
meaning and consequence, one that would make a difference, and I only hope that
I can fulfill this goal through my work.
This article first appeared in the Fall '09 Bulletin at Shore Country Day School.
