No Where To Go
Story from a Gr.10 Art Class
February 27, 2009.
I was substituting for a Gr. 10 visual arts class today when a new student arrived. She has been in Canada for 2 weeks and this was her second day at school. She has a firm grasp on the English language but it proves to be challenging at times.
She is here with her brother and her parents. She was noticeably scared of her surroundings so I immediately tried ease the tension with conversation. I asked her questions about her likes and dislikes and I managed to get a smile and a laugh as well. I got her working on a task of painting a colour wheel to distract her from her worries.
She was sitting alone so I help her along as I continued to ask her of her favorite things. She spoke of reading, seafood and music. She is a soft spoken person who seems very kind. She looked relaxed and well adjusted throughout class until it was time to go.
It was her lunch period next. Her brother's lunch was scheduled during a different time slot. The slow realization of being alone during the her lunch period was sinking in. I realized how difficult a moment this was for her as tears started flowing down her face. She did her best to conceal them.
She didn't know what to do; she didn't know where to go; she was frozen; she just stood there, leaning on the corner of the desk as if that was the safest place to be at that moment in her life. She didn't know where to eat; she didn't know who to eat with... she had no one. My heart sank.
I spoke to her, assuring that she was a very bright, kind individual who will make friends very quickly. The pain of this fear had her breaking down. She could not hide the fact that she was crying now. I wanted to help but I wasn't sure what to do. I wish I could take it away. All the pain that is associated with adjusting to a new way of life. I wish I could make her see that in a short time everything would be okay. I wish she didn't have to go through what she was destined to go through.
I told her she was more than welcome to stay in the art room during lunch, assuring her that the classroom was a safe place to be. She stood there, trembling, gasping for air, unsure of everything. I can't imagine the struggle she was/is currently going through. She's in a strange cold land that is very different from her own. And she it completely alone.
I gave her a minute to decide. The lunch time bell rang and only a few students remained. Desperate to ease her troubles, I pulled two other students aside who noticed that she was in distress. I spoke to one of the them privately and asked if they would invite the new student to eat with them. This student was taken aback by the responsibility I bestowed upon her, but she realized the greater good of these actions far outweighed no action at all. She indicated to me that she would be happy to invite the new student for lunch. I sighed with relief.
I began cleaning the classroom while I observed the situation unfold. I wanted to make sure that the new student didn't know I orchestrated the interaction so I continued cleaning in the classroom without a scene.
The two friends approached the girl, who was now unpacking her books onto the desk. Huddled around her, they formally invited her to eat with them in the cafeteria. Hesitant and glossy eyed, the new student softly agreed. She began packing up her belongings. Her tears subsided and relief came over her face. The three of them left together and talked on their way out.
I was so happy the two friends were kind enough to invite her. I was so happy that the new student agreed to go. I was relieved to see a smile on her face. I hope the new friends will treat her well; I hope that she won't be a scared anymore; I hope that she will find happiness soon. I hope her brother will find his way too.
Paul Tiberio
