THE RIVER SCHOOL, WHERE I LEARNT THE DIFFERENCES

"The most interesting thing is they have a small class where the kids with disability such as dyslexia* to study. But in this class they only have 2 or 3 students for every meeting. Because the teacher teach children intensively who has learning disorder".
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This is the story about a school that called River School, a semi-formal school for the kids before they go to high school. So, at 10 am my host family took me to meet with Lisa, she has been a teacher of that school more than 15 years. She was very nice and friendlyThis school has attracted me a lot.  The first impression that I got is a peaceful. Yeah. This school located in the middle of the hill and they have a river that cross beside their school. When I leave a car the warm wind blow my scarf, it was very hot outside but I could see the children from many different of ages playing and running happily in front of their class.

While we were walking around suddenly I saw an empty small hall, there is nothing inside the hall except some of pillows, I just wonder what this hall for and I asked Lisa about that. She told me that was a meditation hall where the children do their meditation every day. I was shocking at the moment, because I never found the school like this before, so Lisa told is this school is like a spiritual school where the children taught about the balances and how they make some connection with the nature. 

The most interesting thing is they have a small class where the kids with disability such as dyslexia* to study. But in this class they only have 2 or 3 students for every meeting. Because the teacher teach children intensively who has learning disorder.  

While I was speaking to Lisa, we met with one of the teachers of that school and as usual, Lisa introduced me to this woman. Suddenly and randomly she asks me with very strange question that I can’t imagine if I was to be asked to this question. “do you a moslem?” said the woman. “ yeah, I am” I answered confidently. Oh my goodness, lucky me, can you please help me to teach these children how to pray in Islam religion ?. She said to me hopefully. “ Are you sure?” She asks me once more to confirm me  if she’s not kidding me. Yeah I am totally serious, can you please help me? Confidently I said that “yeah of course, with my pleasure”. So she took me to her class and introduced me to her students. 

When I came into the class some of kids look very exciting. They are curious about what will I do in their class. I introduced myself as a Muslim who will teach them how to pray in Islam. Suddenly, a beautiful little girl (I forget her name) asks me to tell them a word when we pray. Then I said that in Islam when we do praying, we always say “Allahuakbar” when we begin the prayer and we put our hand beside our ears. I know that movement, I know that, said the kids while they practicing the movement. 

I was very surprised at that time, how could this little kid know about the Islam very well, however no one of them were a Muslim. I asked Lisa about that, and she said, in this school we learn about all the religions like Buddha, Hindu, Judaism, Islam and Christian. The kids were taught how to respect, to appreciate and to tolerate with the differences and they knew that all the religion taught us about the peaceful and become the good man.

After I taught them how to pray in Islam, I said to them if I have a lot fun and thank you for welcoming me in this class. Actually, I want to be a little bit longer in this school, staying with these wonderful students and have some discussions with the teacher here. But, unfortunately I have to get back because I have another agenda to do. It was very hard to say good bye to them. But, I have to say that word. Suddenly a little young girl running to me and hug me very tightly. She said that if she was very happy to meet me and wish someday they will meet me again. I just cann’t say another word at that time, it was very touching for me and suddenly I could how feel my eyes getting warm.


Munadhilla
Participant of Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) 2012