Teachers Without Borders South Africa 2006 – Reflection

George W. Scott – Chaplain Punahou School

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones…He asked me, ‘son of man, can these bones live? …Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you...flesh…skin…’ So I prophesized as he commanded me and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet - a vast army.” (Ezekiel 37)

In the famous story of God’s spirit taking the prophet Ezekial to the valley of dry bones, the true test for Ezekial was whether or not he believed the beaten, downtrodden remnants could ever stand again. He believed, and they did; but the second test was the most powerful one. Even if the dry bones could stand, would they ever thrive and become flesh again.

I was amazed and deeply moved by the South African teacher’s custom of opening each Teachers Without Borders workshop in a gathering of steadfast souls lifting up concerns in prayer and joyous song. As I struggled to capture the essence of my experience as a photojournalist and African American minister, this story from the prophet Ezekial’s life stood out - as there were many parallels to what I experienced in South Africa and Ezekial’s story.

The lens through which I viewed and experienced the people of South Africa and their tremendous work and challenges, was that of an educational system many believed could never and would never rise and mount up again. However, what I experienced was the inner strength and resolute determination of South Africa teachers and the community; this coupled with people from around the globe who collectively say, “Come, you will walk, we will walk together.”

The Vaal University of Technology, is a prime example of this spirit of “live and thrive”. From the Chancellor and administration to the teachers, staff and students, there exists a spirit of possibility. Here, Teachers Without Borders is welcomed with open arms. Connections are made with local teachers and together we all begin to see plans and dreams for the future of South Africa’s children become reality. TWB workshops in Port Shepstone, and Mthatha are fortunate to have people like Pauline Duncan, Dick Basday and Mrs. Gazi, all who enter the valley of ‘dry bones’ with drive, fire, and the dedication to work for South Africa’s future.

South Africa is so blessed to have teachers who understand the challenges and will overcome great odds to fight for a child’s future. In Mthatha, I had the opportunity to meet and interview two teachers from a rural master teacher” with 25 years experience, her associate, a young newcomer to teaching. Both spoke with emotion of their huge class sizes of 115 to 125 learners, yet they were undaunted, arriving at their school at 5:00 a.m. and remaining past dark to help fulfill the dreams of a new South Africa through the nurturing of students.

A defining moment for me was the visit to President Nelson Mandela’s birthplace. Escorted by the wonderful people of Mthatha, the Nelson Mandela Museum staff, I saw the “Phoenix Rising”. His humble beginnings, a rural village, is a metaphor for the prophet chosen from amongst the people to Rise, Stand, Walk, Lead a Nation – so that they might thrive.

The work of Teachers Without Borders - South Africa provides the marrow and tendons to connect the desire and determination of the teachers of South Africa.

Like the words from the prophet Ezekiel, South Africa had been left for dead, but the people, the dry bones, would not die. They had to live for the future of the children. They thrived by breathing new life into this determined community of believers. They are a testimony of faith and determination. In some ways, the children of South Africa are actually at a greater advantage than children of many other countries as they are born with a natural strength to not only survive, but to succeed; rise up to walk, and run against all odds!

I am deeply grateful to Yunus Peer and The Peer Family for the ‘vision’ of Teachers Without Borders - South Africa. And to Punahou School President, Jim Scott, for his support of the educational pursuit of all people, everywhere.