My last blog on school opening was unintentionally rather dark and somber in its reflection of today’s reality, especially in the US.
Today, I would like to share a different story of a first day of school that is true. It occurred when we lived in Turkey and was printed in The Turkish Daily News. I am sure the same scenario is still playing out in many countries around the world today.
‘Yesterday Was the First Day of School - For Some
Millions of students woke up early in order to return to school yesterday, holding their parents’ hands on the first day of the new school year. They are cheerful in their brand new uniforms, a warm smile on their faces thanks to their excitement. There are ceremonies in school gardens - students praising education and their teachers. This week is Primary Education Week. The children are talking about what they want to be in the future. Some would like to be doctors and some engineers. Their targets vary, but is is obvious that none of them want to end up shining shoes in the future...
And no doubt, no small boy or girl who is out on the streets shining shoes ever wanted to be doing so in the beginning. Every child wishes to be as lucky as the others, celebrating the beginning of the new school year with their shoes as bright as any shoeshine boy could make them...
Ozkan Aktas is a 12 year old shoeshine boy who was left to his fate on the streets of Ankara. Today there is nothing more important in Ozkan’s life than those days when he can earn a little more money polishing students’ and teachers’ shoes to help out his family. Ozkan lives on the outskirts of Ankara with his aunt and her family. He leaves home at 7:00 a.m. every day dreaming of earning a few dollars more.
It takes Ozkan about two hours to reach his place of work. He makes $10 to $12 for about 12 hours of work each day. No one knows what he eats or drinks throughout the day. He had to quit school in grade four. This means he could not even complete Turkey’s eight-year compulsory education program. He tells us that his father works as a guard in their village. Ozkan goes on to say, ironically, that he has a brother who is not old enough to work, as if he is...
Oskan tries to remove the polish stain from his little hands as he talks to us. He asked that no one take photographs of him as he does not want his picture to be seen. It is obvious that he is scared of someone - maybe street bullies or his family, who are annoyed by the vision of the little children whom they force to work.
Recep Demir is also 12 years old and Ozkan’s companion. They work and play together at their leisure when they do not have to shine their customers’ precious shoes. He is also uneasy and introverted. Recep is one of six children in his family. He had to leave school a year ago for the sake of contributing to his family’ budget.
So, yes, September 1st had a particular significance for millions of children, but it was an ordinary tiring day of labour for the working children of the streets of Ankara, Turkey.”
Both first day of school blogs are very troubling and I just share them to again provide a tiny reminder of the privileged life we live in Canada. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Lest we forget!
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