A Letter to my Students

As I sit in an airport in Amsterdam and my YAV year in Zambia officially becomes a memory, the people that touched my life there are still so very much in my heart. I am so thankful for this year. I have a new family in friends across the world from now. This past week has been overflowing with affirmations and goodbyes. There were tears, let me tell you... From my students, friends and families, and especially from myself during my last moments at home and school. These tears were so painful. It was painful to hear my students ask me, "Can you stay?" and "Don't go, Teacher Hannah!" It was painful to hear my teachers tell me that I was leaving behind a very big gap that they can't fill. It was painful to hear my family describe my departure as "bad." I didn't come to Zambia to make anyone feel bad, to leave a gap, or make my students cry. But of course, this pain is born from love. From a deep, and connected relationship that was formed this year between myself and my Zambian community. So besides those tears, this past week was full of SO MANY smiles, so much laughter, so much joy. So much of the time I just wanted to shout and dance for the incredible journey this year has been! I did it! My YAV year is over, but my heart continues to be full of love for Zambia.

My favorite Zambian guy friends at the airport in Lusaka. They stayed long after I went into security and was checking my bags, just to see me as long as they could! SO SWEET!

Photo Credit: Sherri Ellington

Dear students,

For the past year I’ve had the pleasure of standing in front of you everyday. I want to explain to you what I see when I look at you. I see a group of young men and women who deserve to follow their dreams. I see intelligence. I see joy. I see beauty. I see determination. I see hard work. I see people who haven’t given up, even during hard times.  I see people who confront challenges. I see people who want to succeed. I see the future of Zambia. I see you.

Some of you know these things about yourselves. But some of you don’t. We all know that life isn’t easy. Things like good grades on exams aren’t just handed to you. We have to work hard. We have to do our part. Sometimes we get sick of trying again and again to get things right. Sometimes the people around us don’t support you. Sometimes life isn’t fair. Sometimes you want to give up.

Don’t. Don’t give up. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up on life. No matter what others say, you always have choices in life. You have the power to choose how to react to every situation in your life. God has given each of us a few things that no one can ever take away. God gave us a brain to think and decide things for ourselves. God gave us voices to speak out loud. Whatever happens in your life, use your brain to make good choices. No matter what you have in life, use your voice to make this world a better place.

Your brain and voice make you powerful. You have the power to change your life and the world around you. Make choices to improve your life and those around you. Be kind. Be generous. Choose love over hate. But more than anything, don’t forget that God has trusted you with power, with that brain and voice. Don’t be afraid to use it. Stand up and figure out this life.

You are so powerful that you have changed my life forever. You have taught me how big and beautiful this world is and how each and every one of us is a Child of God worthy of love, opportunity, and a chance at life. Experiencing Zambia taught me that there is no such thing as “normal.” So many things I knew from the USA are just different here. Instead of thinking one culture is “correct” or “better,” I’ve come to realize that things are just different all over the world. So if you think the world can’t change, there’s nothing you can do about something in your life, or this is just how things are, you are wrong. Right now all over the world, people are living their lives in millions of different ways. There is no one right way to live life. The world changes every day. If you went somewhere else, your world would change.

So change this world. Make it better.

I may be far away from now on, but I will never forget you. I will be supporting you, praying for you, and hoping for you. In my heart, you are already successful, lovely, inspiring human beings.

Your Teacher