When I was in 1st Grade I didn't speak English so during the school day I had to take ESL (English as a Second Language). Once, the teacher left me in a classroom with a girl in high school to help me with my work, but the bell rang and she had to go to her next class, so I remained there alone. The teacher never came back after so I didn't know what to do. At one point, a group of high schoolers was walking nearby so I got scared and hid under the table! They found me hiding and were so sweet and kind to me as they brought me to a teacher which brought me back to my class. I was so happy that the group of high schoolers came by, they helped me when I didn't know what to do myself!
What did this experience tell you about people and yourself – tell us how did you feel, what did you think, how did it change the way you see the world around you?
I can really feel how the the little kids in kindergarden, Grade 1, (etc) feel like when they are the youngest ones around school. I didn't even know English, which can really scare you, especially when everyone you went to school with spoke the language. You really feel like everything is bigger than you and if you make your way through a hall, you won't find your way back.
How would you or did you pay if forward for someone else?
Since I live in Pretoria, I shop mostly at Brooklyn Mall, where there is always a poor man, walking from car to car, asking for food or money near the entrance to the parking. I decided to buy him some cookies and juice, my sister and friend joined me on this, and it was so nice seeing him smile after we handed over to him the things we bought him!
