Tree of Life

Eyes full of concern and hope, staring straight, not daring to look away and hands reaching out
in encouragement. “This is beautiful. You should write more.” Such simple words were uttered. Yet, one
by one, the bricks of doubt fall down like morning dew on a leaf. These actions were my earliest
memories of wanting to do more. It was the needed push to realize that my work was worth something.

Thanks to that, the foundation for confidence has started, and now, it is a sight to behold. This is
the job of the teachers, advisers – mission partners. They plant seeds of knowledge in each and every
student. Imbued in those are the kindness and hope that their children will accomplish great things. In
order to do that, they cultivate those seeds with the desire of them blooming into a majestic beauty.
And as some plants need fertilizer, and others, shade, each student need different things – may it be
more attention, more visuals, more time, and more care. It is a gardeners pride and joy to tend to these
seedlings.

It all starts with the eyes. In order to discover one’s abilities and to polish that potential, they
have to be seen. No matter what age, there is relief when you feel seen – it’s the feeling of appreciation
that leads to motivation. It is in the teachers’ choice to look around their classroom and realizes that
these children are not mere silhouettes, not just audience, but people carrying different stories, and
carving different paths. When this is done, their next step would be their hands. They will change the
way they teach in order to accommodate everyone in the class. For students, words are more
important. They should be able to say encouraging words to students – may it be seeking to cut the
weeds plaguing their minds or being the fertilizers that acknowledges their work. It is becoming the
always open door of a classroom, ready to welcome a child, to console, to advice, and most of all, to let
their talents surface.

Indeed, students’ achievements may not be seen, but shown. As time passes, those seeds will
grow and grow. Some may grow as tall as the sycamore trees and others are small bushes but are
extraordinary herbs. There will be those who may bloom pretty flowers, or plants so tiny, but roots
going deep. These are all achieved with all the mission partners – their passion to educate and their care
to understand.