Chefor Fritz, 12, sells onions to raise money for his secondary school tuition
I love the children I teach. They are so hard working and relentless, even though they are from poor backgrounds. Some are even abused at home and forced to labour for long hours on the farm. Some go about hawking immediately after school closes still with their uniform on. I observed these kids for over a week. Most of the time, I would just sit quietly with them in class as I allow them to play freely. So lovely and innocent, I listen to their dreams and I feel the passion as they imagine what they’ll be. As much as I try to encourage and teach them, I’ve learned much more from their humility and relentless passion. Charity, Amon, Funmi, Opokiti, Olaoluwa, Margret, and other students of JSS 2 E&F Alamo Grammar School, Akure North, Ondo State, where I serve — these are the kids who inspired this poem.
Simple, mild, and sweet…
He looks as he takes his seat…
Cute disposition and fine eye gaze…
Shying away as he bends his face…
He’s satisfied with whatever he has…
With his patched uniform he runs to class…
Of course he feels he has no reason to be proud…
Lowly esteemed, he’s sometimes swayed by the deeds of the crowd…
He farms, he peddles, and still comes to school…
Trying hard to keep up with school rules…
He sees his mates as his family…
Plays around without Enmity…
He wears his rubber sandals with contentment…
Respects his Guardians without resentment…
But as soon as the bell rings it dawns on him…
Unfinished chores, he has to fetch water from the stream…
As the cloud gathers indicating rainfall…
He bows his head as he hears his guardian’s call…
“Go fetch, go sell, go clear the weeds at the farm…
On your way back, bring along some tubers of yam…”
His uneducated guardians care less about his homework…
Not considering the very long distance he has to walk…
He runs along as he sings his favourite song…
Knowing that he won’t stay forever young…
He comes back home exhausted and worn out…
Rushes to complete his assignment before the candle burns out…
After all he still comes out as the best among his peers…
He joyfully shows his report card, but no one cares…
Still he doesn’t relent; what a hopeful child…
Neither does he keep grudges, so tender and mild…
Unaware of His rights, he takes whatever comes…
He catches a vision and with it he runs…
Hoping to be a medical genius…
Internally motivated although it seems oblivious…
Dear boy, hold fast to your resolve…
All you need is your faith, Hope, and love…
These are attributes of great men…
And as far as I can see, you’re one of them…
Soar on with your relentless passion…
Being gentle as a dove and bold as a lion…
Soon, from that hut, the world will hear your voice…
Soon you’ll have the liberty of selecting your choice…
But for now stay humble, focused, and bold…
You’re being refined, you’ll sparkle like gold…
As for me, in words and deeds I’ll show you the way…
As what you’ll be tomorrow could be inspired by my actions today.
