Saturday 7 December 2013

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

 In a world of ups and downs and much of what lies ahead unknown, I tend to relish in the moments that just seem to have some greater purpose to them. For the child who has so much to learn and so much unknown it always amazes me how intuitive they are. I guess its because its all they have to go on at times. This intuition kicked in pretty strong on Thursday in the environment, although I didn't realize it until that evening. All day the children were attracted to everything in the classroom that had to do with Africa. The map of Africa was done in the afternoon, every book we have on Africa was read (even one that was tucked way back on a shelf was found) and the geography folder of Africa was out and being explored by the children. We even used two of our books to learn some swahili words. I really didn't think much of this other than the fact that I needed to fuel the children's interest in this beautiful continent. When I got home I saw on the news that Nelson Mandela had passed away.  Hit with sad thoughts I couldn't help but think that the children had somehow known that the world had lost a wonderful man. I've never spoke of him to the children but were their little spirits being filled with this man's greatness? Did they know that not only was the whole continent of Africa grieving this loss, but the whole world was saddened by this? I like to think that the children were, in their own way, celebrating the wonderful changes Nelson Mandela made in the world. They were showing respect for his homeland as a thank-you for the respect he showed them. Some people may just see this as a coincidence, but for me its confirmation that there is a greatness to be found everywhere. We just have to be looking!