Experience, Strength and Hope

 Lisa G. graduated from The Family School in December 2003. This letter is a continuation from the last issue, where she talks about her journey of service and charity. Her trip is coming to an end and she shares her thoughts and feelings.

 Hujambo!

Please forgive the briefness of this update, but I am currently very strapped for time. So, I’ve completed six weeks now in Tanzania and there were many changes in the last two weeks. First, we got in a fresh group of four-week volunteers, and our last “four weekers” have gone. I have a new roommate. His name is Chris and he’s an amazing person. I feel incredibly lucky to have what I feel is the best living situation of anyone, but my opinion is probably a bit biased. We also started our community teaching these last two weeks. We go to bomas (or groups of houses belonging to one family) and if they have time and the inclination, we teach them about any health topic they’re interested in. So far, the main topic of interest has been family planning, and I’m glad since many families have upwards of eleven children. One very interesting boma we visit has one Babu (grandfather) who is 91 years old, with his 8 wives (plus three more in another region). He has 55 children, 300 grandchildren, and his youngest wife is only 19. It seems so strange, but it is very interesting to talk with them and to learn about their beliefs as this is a very traditional Maasai family. The children do not go to school, so sometimes we teach them English if we have time.

Anyway, I think we’re making a really big difference, and all the participants seem very eager to learn about everything. We’ve also been doing several community improvement projects including filling a started but never completed latrine hole, fixing more desks, and conducting after-school activities with the children, during which we’ve been teaching them about different cultures all over the world. We’ve also painted educational canvases to hang in the classrooms. Our days are busy and completely full, and I fall in bed exhausted every day, but I am also extremely fulfilled and satisfied with the work we are doing here.

I’m coming into my last two weeks here, and I’m extremely sad. I don’t know how I’ll say goodbye to this place, and maybe sometime I’ll tell you more about the personal changes I’ve been going through. Suffice it to say, I am a very different person from who I was when I left, and I struggle with the idea of returning to my old life. Anyway, I hope this update finds you well. -Lisa.

By Cameron S.

Chris S., a Family School alumnus, is an admissions counselor at FFS. Impeccably dressed in a crisp shirt and tie, Chris looks the part of a rising young professional. It’s hard to believe that his life was once unmanageable.

Chris was born on February 23, 1989 in Johnson City, N.Y. However, his family soon moved to nearby Endwell where he spent the rest of his childhood. He grew up in a middle class family with both parents and two older brothers. Every Sunday he and his family would attend Catholic services and go to his grandmother’s house to spend time with his cousins, aunt and uncles. It seemed like the perfect family.

Despite this, Chris felt a lot of anger growing up. He harbored resentment and jealousy toward his brothers. “I always felt they were smarter and more athletic than I was,” he said. Chris got very involved in sports to channel these negative feelings. He power lifted, wrestled and played football. In high school he experimented a little with drugs and alcohol, but it never stuck. “The first time I got high, it felt really good, but coming down was horrible; I felt sick and it just wasn’t worth it.” His anger problem escalated, however, and he started to inflict pain upon his family. Chris threw tantrums when he didn’t get his way and bullied anyone who got in his way, especially his mother.

He arrived at The Family School on February 2, 2005. In the beginning of his stay, he was angry and vindictive, looking for fault in everyone but himself. “When I realized the pain I was causing my parents, I wanted to make it right. I believe that was when I had my spiritual awakening.”

Through working with his sponsor Tex, and living by the principles he developed at FFS, he graduated in December 2007. After graduation, he attended SUNY Fredonia with a major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice.

Experiencing some loneliness one day during college, Chris pulled out his signing book from FFS and started to look through some screen names he got from students. One screen name that he found belonged to Carmen A. He entered her name into his AIM account and they started instant messaging. Today, they are happily married and have two dogs. Regarding Carmen’s family, he said, “They have welcomed me in with open arms; they are very fun and loving group.”

Chris came back as staff because he wanted to give back to the school that gave him a spiritual life and mended his relationship with his family. He has been working at FFS since May 2010 and plans to go back to school to get a doctorate in psychology. Chris is still young, but he is well on his way to a long and successful life, one day at a time.