Floors covered in dirt no matter how much they’re swept. Walls plastered with learning materials, some of which are holding on for dear life. Children, with some of the sweetest faces I’ve ever seen, that tend to destroy what few school supplies they do have.
The hero of this story is a teacher named Phindile. A woman who arrives early each morning, ready to joyfully pour herself out and teach. A woman who is unfazed by chaos. A woman who gives her life to making sure children learn and grow.
Phindile is beautiful. She has been at Murray Camp Preschool for ten years. I can still hear the precious Swazi children shouting, “My teacher is Teacher Phindile!” She stood tall and proud, but was equally gentle.
We laughed every day. Phindile would say, “Becky, you call the kid’s names today so I can laugh” (at my pronunciation struggles). She couldn’t get over the day she left me alone in the classroom and the kids went nuts. She would often ask me to play the video of it.
Over the course of the month, I learned that Phindile has a dream of opening her own preschool. She has a dream of being a counselor. She studied people and how they respond to their environments. I’m completely blanking on the degree she has, but I believe it’s similar to social work.
Phindile told me that in order to accomplish her dreams she would need to have a connection with someone who knows the king. She said someone like her can’t get a job like that. But if you worked alongside her, you’d have trouble doubting her too. I told her never to give up on her God-given dreams.
I couldn’t help but wonder what she could accomplish if she had been born in the United States. I couldn’t help but wonder about all the opportunities she would have. I said it before and I’ll say it again: she is the hero of this story.
Phindile loves the Lord. She is changing the lives of children each and every day. She was born exactly where she was meant to be born and is doing exactly what she is meant to be doing. That’s not to say her dreams won’t come true. If anyone can overcome the odds, it’s Phindile.
