This story, which is fiction, is based on the real life of a group of more than 45 Colombian children who today, every day, have to walk 20 kilometers through trails flooded with mud and stones to go to school. They must cross rivers and climb mountains. This occurs in the municipality of El Toco, a very poor site in northern Colombia. The distance between Pembroke and Buggiba is actually 9 kilometres. I hope that our students, also with their “BIG” spirit, will be inspired by other less fortunate children who are resilient. At Verdala International School, we all promote being Resilient.
When they returned home after an 18-kilometer walk, Melita was limping on her left leg and was obviously fatigued. Incredibly, without rest, Melita said to her grandmother “Granny… could you accompany me to the village?" the whole family was surprised. And now, what would Melita like to do? Chris thought.
The following Monday was the day to finally go to school. Melita would start classes after so much waiting, trying and struggling. What an illusion!
At 5 in the morning, Melita’s mom woke her up. Melita opened only one eye behind the thick and hot blankets and said “But mom…it's very early… it's dark and cold…” Her mom said “Yes, Melita, but you want to go to school so you must get ready, have breakfast, and walk for 3 hours to get to class on time…Come on!...Get up!... Get up!".
When they were having breakfast, Melita’s father asked her: “Melita…And those winter shoes? Where did they come from?". Melita replied “Dad, on Saturday I thought I would need more appropriate shoes to get to school each day, so I traded in my beautiful white shoes for these plastic boots and a pink raincoat.”
The grandmother smiled and the proud father said: “Well done daughter!" The mother took out a school bag and put two notebooks, two apples, a bottle of water and a sandwich in it.
Melita put on the heavy bag, took her brother's hand and began to walk. Amidst the fog, Melita’s parents saw her leaving at the age of 5, with 5 kilos on her back, plastic boots, a pink raincoat, and with her dreams and her resilience intact. A few steps later, Melita stopped, let go of her brother's hand, ran back and gave a big hug to her father and mother saying: “Thank you… today, I am BIG!"
THE END
HIGH SCHOOL