Tears of joy in Ready Schools

Why tears?
Sometimes an outcome of a project is totally different than the project leaders expect. Most times the tangible outcome is clear, but sometimes the emotional side is forgotten. How?

When the first community stars (unemployed youth) joined the Ready Schools programme in their 'old school' they were very eager to get computer training. After selection the stars were chuffed that they made it through the selection; and it is great to learn Word and later Excel.

But why the tears on the 3rd day when the 'meet and great' 9 to 10 took place?

The Stars found out that it is not only about the computer lessons. What they also enjoyed so much is that they can forget tabout their problems he moment they walk into the school. They can forget about the financial problems, their hunger, their low self esteem and their sick relatives.

The moment the stars enter the school they can concentrate sharing with the project leader and the Dutch volunteers. They can enjoy the safety of being together. Everybody is treating them with dignity and respect, something the stars are not used to. 

And more than that: because of the life skills sessions, they get to talk about their problems. They are safe to talk about their problems and there are actually people not only listening to their problems, they also take them seriously. They even get some advice. 

And that is why several stars cryed during the first week of their Ready Schools programme, because they could not believe that it would have so much impact. 

And so therefore we continue as Ready 4 Life; because we are making impact.

Kieke