Those of you who know me, know that I have a heart for children and for helping to provide educational opportunities for them. I believe that all children should have equal opportunities to learn, to be loved, and to be safe and secure. However, the more I look around I see an ever widening gap in the opportunities provided to different children.
I would like you to meet two children. Both are in second grade, but their lives couldn’t be more different.
Meet Jacob*. He is an adorable second grade boy. He comes from an upper-middle class family with two parents. His parents are both involved in his school and hobbies. They allow him to try new things, support him in all endeavors, and provide him all the resources he needs to be successful. He is surrounded by adults who care for him- his parents, nanny, teachers, and tutors at the tutoring center he attends. He works hard at school and plays often at home. He is bright, believes in himself, dreams of being in the NFL, and laughs constantly. In one month he made great gains in school and moved towards the top of his class.
Meet Brenda*. She is a beautiful second grade girl. She is from a low-income family. She is being raised by her dad as her mom finishes out a jail sentence. She is very intelligent and sweet. In one month her mom is released from jail, the family is evicted from their apartment, and less than two weeks after her release from prison Brenda’s mom walks out on her. Now Brenda is living in a hotel where most of the rooms are rented by the hour. She is getting fitful nights of sleep on the hotel floor as her face is being bitten by the bugs that crawling across the carpet. She is unwashed, hungry, and feeling abandoned. The only bed she has is the sleeping bag bought for her by her teacher. Emotionally she is bearing more weight than any seven year old is prepared to handle. Her grades are quickly slipping, she argues with other children, and cries often. She lives for hugs from her teacher each morning (perhaps the only time she is held during the day), and holds on as though her sense of worth depends on it.
*The names of the children have been changed.
These are not children who are living a world apart. They are living in the same city, their homes are probably 15 minutes apart. They have both been students of mine at different times. Clearly these students are not given an equal chance to learn. And this look at their lives doesn’t even touch on the disparity of resources in their schools.
I see an ever-widening gap in the lives, schools, and opportunities given to different children. This leaves me with so many questions. Why does this happen? How can I make a difference in the lives of these children? What is the church’s role in providing opportunities for kids like Brenda?
