Benard

Whenever you go to someones home you want to be as respectful and kind as possible.  On July 14, 2015 we went on a home visit to Benard's home.  Benard is a 13 year old boy and is an extraordinary student.  He is the top student in his class and has had the highest scores on his last three exams.  I would never have known what he has been through, had I not gone on this home visit.
A little over a year ago, Benard was living with a couple that had "rescued" him.  He was constantly late to school and was missing church.  When Lisa Marie and the student volunteers arrived in Tanzania they went on home visits to gain a better understanding of how the people of Tanzania lived.  When they arrived at the house where Benard was living, they were shocked.  The house that they were sent to was very nice and high end.  While Lisa Marie was waiting to meet the couple that owned the house, she noticed a dog house out in the yard and believed that it was for the animals to sleep in, but didn't think much of it at the time.  The couple were well educated and seemed very kind.
Lisa Marie returned to LOAMO not knowing why Maria had sent her there.  She asked some of the teachers and they all shook their heads, but wouldn't explain.  Eventually one of the teachers said "Some people fear god,  those people fear nothing."  After hearing that, all the pieces began come together, and a teacher finally told her the truth.  Benard was a slave.  The dog house was were he slept and lived.  Benard would wake up at 4:00 in the morning to feed the animals, he was beaten and tortured.  He would walk 40 minutes to school and receive punishments for being late.  When Benard got home from school he would use his sweater as a rag to mop the floors and clean the house.  He never told anyone because the couple threatened to take away his education.
Within days Lisa Marie had a plan in place to get Benard out of the couple's grasp and with his older brother.  Benard was told to come to school with everything he owned.  When he arrived at school all he had were the clothes on his back and a gigantic smile on his face.  The couple had taken everything he owned before he left for school that day including his school books and backpack.  After three long years of pain and abuse Benard was free.  Lisa Marie arranged for Benard to go and live with his older brother John.  Using CGA's funds, Lisa Marie and the student volunteers bought Benard all the necessities to begin his new life.  They even bought him a brand new bed with sheets and a mosquito net.
When we arrived at Benard's home this year we were all very humbled.  I find it amazing that the people that have so little have the largest hearts and most to give.  We were welcomed in Benard's home with open arms and friendly smiles.  John, Benard's older brother, does everything in his power to better Benard's life.  He works 16 hour days so he can put food on the table and provide a roof over Benard's head.  We all sat down and asked Benard what keeps him motivated to do so well in school.  He responded by saying that was all he had in his life to work towards, his only hope.  After he had said that, I took a minute to fully absorb what he had just said.  We asked Benard, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  His face immediately lit up and he told us that he wanted to become a doctor.  Everyday Benard works as hard as possible and with his determination he will become an extraordinary person.  With his motivation to do so well in school the sky is the limit.
This home visit has inspired me to always try my best no matter what and to appreciate everything that I have been given in life.  I feel honored to have met and taught Benard in Class 5.  It's hard to believe that a week has gone by in such a short time.  As my confidence continues to grow I am sure that the next two weeks will be incredible.