THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVE YOU ever looked into a pair of eyes and wished you could remove the weight that is hiding the sunshine of youth? Ever wished the tears you saw were tears of joy? As a teacher, there are days I have wished so.
There are other times when I feel like packing up and hitting the road, away from the cares and hurts of the classroom. But there is always that 'thank you smile' that keeps me going back each day.
It hurts down to the tip of our hearts when our girls are afraid to say but relieved when they do, that is, tell their stories. They tell about friends, stepbrothers, fathers, neighbours, all wanting one thing from them - no, not respect; no, not a good name; no, not a hug, but a piece of the pie.
These girls have tried everything, from begging them to stop, to running away from home. As I spoke with one, she said she had tried three homes and each time the same thing happens. This time she is afraid that telling her dad about her stepbrother will bring a rift into the family.
THIS IS THE TIME
Girls, now is the time to talk; teachers, now is the time to listen; parents, now is the time to see. If girls speak, teachers listen and parents see, we will help to put a stop to hurts.
How do I help? I try to be the ears they do not have at home, the trust they hunt for and give the love that evades them. We pray together, talk together and listen together and it helps. Teachers, reach out and touch a teen's hand, touch a teen's heart, touch a teen's life.
I am, etc.,
BARBARA KINGTON
Sheffield P.O.
Westmoreland
Via Go-Jamaica
