July 4, 2011
Early this morning, received a text message:
“My dear friend and teacher, u are the best, I now getting on the bus. I gonna leave home to army, I wont forget u, Bye, I love you”
It is a message from a nice young man. For a few months, we worked together on the “Junior
Achievement Program Azerbaijan” project, helping six local high-school students to compete with the annual event. After the end of the project, I also helped him to finalize his college research paper. He has been treating me like his big sister, a mentor.
He is an upright, very good-natured young man: polite, passionate, gentle and kind. He speaks English very well but still wants to improve his level, so I ordered an advanced TOFEL book with CD from the US and gave them to him as a gift. When he held the book in his hands, he was nearly in tears. He wanted give me a big hug but it is an “Olmaz” in the Azeri society, so he kept telling me that he loved me. (I am sure, it is the friendship kind of love”) He just graduated from college this summer and has to join the army for one-year. Knowing that he probably would not see me again, so he texted me with his final farewell and made sure his family would be available for me if I need any help. I am touched, deeply moved by his gesture.
Nearly three years ago in Peace Corps New York regional office, I explained to the recruiter my motive to join Peace Corps. I told them that I did not expect that I could change the world or even change anyone’s life by joining the Peace Corps. However, if because of my present, somehow, someway, I touched one or two individuals’ lives, and had some impact on their future, I had done my job as a volunteer.
I know this young man’s life will never be the same again. Before meeting Susan and I, he knew nothing about Peace Corps, and had no contact with any American or foreigner. He confessed to me once that he had problem understanding why I was in Azerbaijan, why I would be willing to leave the comfort of my home, live in a foreign country, and work with strangers for nothing. However, he showed his admiration, and willingness to do the same for his country in the future.
I left him with Peace Corps contacts in Baku, hoping that next year w
hen he returns from the army, he would apply for the LCF position and work with more Americans. He has a lot of potentials, just needs someone to unlock them and that is why I am here.
Early this morning, received a text message:
“My dear friend and teacher, u are the best, I now getting on the bus. I gonna leave home to army, I wont forget u, Bye, I love you”
It is a message from a nice young man. For a few months, we worked together on the “Junior
Achievement Program Azerbaijan” project, helping six local high-school students to compete with the annual event. After the end of the project, I also helped him to finalize his college research paper. He has been treating me like his big sister, a mentor.He is an upright, very good-natured young man: polite, passionate, gentle and kind. He speaks English very well but still wants to improve his level, so I ordered an advanced TOFEL book with CD from the US and gave them to him as a gift. When he held the book in his hands, he was nearly in tears. He wanted give me a big hug but it is an “Olmaz” in the Azeri society, so he kept telling me that he loved me. (I am sure, it is the friendship kind of love”) He just graduated from college this summer and has to join the army for one-year. Knowing that he probably would not see me again, so he texted me with his final farewell and made sure his family would be available for me if I need any help. I am touched, deeply moved by his gesture.
Nearly three years ago in Peace Corps New York regional office, I explained to the recruiter my motive to join Peace Corps. I told them that I did not expect that I could change the world or even change anyone’s life by joining the Peace Corps. However, if because of my present, somehow, someway, I touched one or two individuals’ lives, and had some impact on their future, I had done my job as a volunteer.
I know this young man’s life will never be the same again. Before meeting Susan and I, he knew nothing about Peace Corps, and had no contact with any American or foreigner. He confessed to me once that he had problem understanding why I was in Azerbaijan, why I would be willing to leave the comfort of my home, live in a foreign country, and work with strangers for nothing. However, he showed his admiration, and willingness to do the same for his country in the future.
I left him with Peace Corps contacts in Baku, hoping that next year w
hen he returns from the army, he would apply for the LCF position and work with more Americans. He has a lot of potentials, just needs someone to unlock them and that is why I am here.I still remember his smile, his tearful eyes……..I hope I will see him someday, I hope he will excel.
No comments:
Post a Comment