Move Slowly

During these last four weeks, I have been giving an night class entitled "Where Will You Be....".

The class lasts three nights, and is two hours each night. I advertise the class as a way to help people define their goals. Actually, the class is really a vehicle for building the self-esteem of learners (students).

Here is a link to the materials I created for the class.

Why self-esteem?

Poverty, racism, colonialism, tribalism, alcohol abuse, and HIV/AIDS have decimated the self-esteem of way too many people here. I wonder if this is a common thread in third-world countries.

I am happy that I am here.

This is the place I wanted to be. I know that I can help -- I can share my enthusiasm and compassion, and even if its only for a brief moment, I can give them a little self-esteem.

I wish I could directly share with you, the emotions I experience when I interact with these wonderful people that have been taught to not value themselves.

Ever known a person that had been in a long-term
abusive
relationship?

Ever known someone with
so little self-esteem
that they were unable to raise their voice to a
normal
conversation
level?

Ever known a human being
with not even
one
other person they can go to for
support?

I meet these people every day.

I am afraid to move quickly when I talk closely with them
because when I do, they flinch
and my soul sinks.