The 30 Day Challenge Day Sixteen

Well, we at least got a 2-hour delay today.  Nevermind the fact that Christopher and I both slid all over the road this morning on the way to work and the parking lot was horrendous, but we made it.  And tomorrow is Friday, so that's always nice.  We have had a meeting everyday after school this week.  I believe many of us are already at a breaking point, and we're only a few weeks into this semester.  The pressures to get our students to do well on tests is enough to drive someone over the edge, and I mean that.  I don't envy the students for having to be tested to death, but really, test scores don't affect them very much.  For us teachers, it's everything, and it's not fair.

Anyway.

The 30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Sixteen

A photo of someone who inspires you.

This is Ishmael Beah.  His memoir, A Long Way Gone, opened my eyes to the horrors of the life of a child soldier.  Born in Sierra Leone, he lost his family at age 12 to war between the government army and the rebel army.  He was forced to become a solider and was brainwashed with drugs and war movies.  He witnessed some extremely gruesome, terrible acts...and performed many of them himself.  At fifteen, he was "rescued" by UNICEF.  His rehab was not easy.  He experienced much guilt and withdrawals, and is very blessed to be one of the few child soldiers who doesn't go back to fighting.   Having always been well-spoken, Ishmael got the chance to travel to New York City to speak as an ambassador on behalf of child soldiers.  A woman in the city who was in charge of grew fond of Ishmael and adopted him.  He then moved to New York, graduated high school, and is now an author an activist.  He works hard to spread awareness of the events he experienced and others are experiencing; daily, he must deal with his emotions and dreams from his time in the army.  However, he is faithful, hard-working, and optimistic, and that is truly inspiring.