Education Saves

It’s been a while since my last blog, but a bunch has happened since then. I’ll just make this easy and give it all to you at once: I finally moved into my own house, which does not have a bathroom; I have well-functioning health projects; I had a mild eye infection for 2.5 weeks; I flirted with a bus driver to get a cheaper fare because I was absolutely broke (this one actually worked 3 times since my last post!); I bathed with the same bucket I use the bathroom in; I was ignored by numerous high school directors and staff members because they thought I was Dominican; yup, I’m still being insulted because of my hair; and I even skinny-dipped for the first time. When I put it like that, my life seems very adventurous, huh? I guess it is in some ways. However, once I realize that I’ve already watched every episode of Scandal that is on my hard drive and that I read the Bible more than people in jail, I snap back into reality and laying in my bed under my mosquito with nothing but my thoughts- has become my new pastime. Thanks to living alone without a ton of distractions, I literally think about everything!  

Three nights ago, I reflected on my girl’s empowerment group (Chicas Brillantes) and my women’s health group, “Hogares Saludables (Healthy Homes),” and I analyzed what went well and what can be improved. In my opinion, reflection is something that we should do in all areas of our life so that we are constantly giving our best efforts and producing the maximum results. I realized that sometimes I’m excited and proud of the work I’m doing and other times I hate it because it seems like a complete waste of time. In short, I train a group of about 30 women to make healthy and informed decisions to improve the physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing of their families and communities with the hope of developing them into Health Promoters. It sounds cool, but in actuality there are days when I dread preparing the sessions. There have even been times when I tell myself, “This is retarded!... I’m teaching women how to use less sugar and oil when they don’t even care!... This project is pointless!” But yesterday when I stretched out on my rock hard bed and began thinking, something changed…

I realized that by taking away the power of this project, I diminished the influence of education. When I think about the pregnancy rate in this country and compare it to the fact that only 2 of the participants have heard of “Abstinence,” I see that people make decisions based on their knowledge or lack thereof. Education has the authority to change the livelihood of someone and it is the bridge between what we know and what we are taught to believe. Sometimes we take it for granted because for us Americans, it is a normal part of everyday life. Education has the ability to liberate, empower, inspire, and transform! Of course I would say that women are naturally greater and have the capacity to do more than any man in this world, but then you’d get mad and call me a Feminist. However, I will say this- when you educate a woman, you educate an entire family! We have the Malala Yousafzai's of Pakistan who are willing to die, the Shabana Basij-Rasikh's of Afghanistan who are praying, and the Djénébou Diallo's of Mali who are fighting for the right and privilege to education. Yet, here I was, reducing its value to the simplest form of nothing and forgetting that education may not be the only answer, but it sure is a solution!

I thought it was important to share this because sometimes it is easy to forget that not everyone in the world is afforded the same opportunities as us and although something may seem “retarded,” there is always room for learning. People want to do and be better, but first it is vital that we know better! Education is the light to combat what keeps us hidden in the dark. EDUCATION SAVES!