Elijah is one of the second grade students at Beacon of Hope Academy. I've had the privilege of connecting with him over this last week. It began with a little magic trick I showed him, making a rock disappear. He ate it up and was first in line any time I started up with the antics. You may notice that Elijah's arms are oddly formed; he is lacking most of his lower arms and fingers. The awesome thing is that Elijah seems completely comfortable with himself and self-confident. He is totally integrated into the work and play of the academy. I sense a delightful self-confidence in him; he's unfazed by his arms and finds ingenious ways around the limitations. For example, all week he has been practicing the magic tricks and demonstrating his latest attempts to me, picking up rocks and manipulating them with enthusiasm.
He also reads eagerly, about which I am most excited. During many of our mornings, the teachers are pulling children aside for extra reading help with members of our team (from the adults all the way down to 11 year old Maya). To my delight, I got to read with Elijah. We worked our way through a story about Crocodile and Hare*, and Elijah impressed me with the good start he has towards literacy. He is developing the skills to help him succeed as an adult, and he is also getting an abundance of love and attention every day, which I think helps account for his self-confidence, happiness, and security. I don't know Elijah's home situation, but many of the kids at Beacon Academy are living in deep poverty, often with families missing a father and homes that lack electricity and running water. In spite of all this, thanks to God's grace, Elijah has a chance to grow up healthy and whole.
*ask me about the crazy plot of this 1st grader book some time later
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Way to go, Elijah!
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