Begin Again

I felt really happy today – in the extreme as a matter of fact. I was in a classroom of about 50 children, and they were so excited about drawing their self-portraits that they had to be reprimanded in order to pack up and start to head home.

Today was my second official day as the Third Avenue Primary School’s Volunteer Creative Arts Instructor. What a gas! Totally one of those strange, curiously-sourced ideas that I conjure up and fantasize about and then (even more curiously) actually realize.

A couple of weeks ago, while the children were still on winter break, I noticed that this public elementary school was on my street, about 10 minutes walking distance from my father’s house. I started to think that it’d be nice to work with children during my stay . . . and then I wondered what I could do – anything they need help with, of course. Ooh! What about ART?! I could teach them ART! And that’s about all the pre-meditation that went into it.

So when school finally resumed last week I made up my mind to go and see about it all. As I walked past the sagging gates of the school’s main entrance I was definitely still a little dreamy about the whole thing, but as I navigated through the sandy campus, past the wide, one-level rectangular structure to find the principal, or headmistress, I definitely began to undergo an awakening.

‘Who the hell am I?’ I thought; the headmistress’ glare undeniably asked the same question.

Awkward.

Blah blah blah I’d like to volunteer, I’m here until March yada yada my Dad lives down the street etc etc I love to work with children.

Slowly the headmistress begins to reply: ‘Unfortunately . . . we are unable to take on any new employees . . . we simply don’t have the funding . . .”

“No, I want to VOLUNTEER . . . “

“Eh heh . . . but surely at the end of the month you would like SOME kind of small something . . . some COMPENSATION for your work . . . “

“No, really I don’t.”

“Eh heh . . .”

At this point she glances at the woman who’s been sitting silently next to her, who gives a small nod. I think this must be the co-headmistress, but I don’t really feel in the position to be asking questions so I wait for something more.

The headmistress delivers: “Tell me . . . what is it that you want to do with the children?”

After a roundabout explanation (keep breathing!) that I work with youth in different capacities and can competently teach them a few different subjects, I venture to offer up that I’d like to teach them art.

“Ah hah!” the headmistress exclaims. Her co- nods with deep satisfaction.

“We have been LOOKING for someone to teach them ART!”

Get the shit outta here, I’m thinking.

So that was basically it – we talked about what kind of art would be useful for primary schoolers and then I was asked to report back to the headmistress’ office on Monday.

And I did.

And today was Tuesday. And it was grand . . . simply grand. There’ll be plenty more tales of elation to come, I’m sure.

(insert a smiling heart)