It is 5:30 a.m. and 11-year-old Jackson and his younger sister, Salome, begin a ten-mile journey through the Kenyan wilderness facing charging elephants and other wild animals. In India, 13-year-old Samuel is pushed in his makeshift wheelchair by his little brothers in an arduous journey over water, sand and mud for over an hour. In Morocco, 12-year-old Zahira treks through the Atlas Mountains for over thirteen miles along punishing mountain paths. 11-year-old Carlito and his younger sister ride through the Argentinian plains on a horse, a strenuous trip that takes an hour and a half. These grueling commutes are not easy and can often even be life threatening, so where are these children going and why would they undertake such journeys? They are going to school. These children are all part of the documentary by Pascal Plisson, called “On the Way to School,” which shows us the lengths some children must go to obtain an education.
In the Swat Valley in Pakistan, a 15-year-old Malala attends school, defying the Taliban. Although she is shot, she miraculously survives and with bravery and tenacity now advocates for the 66 million girls across the globe who are unable to attend school. Malala knows what Nelson Mandela taught; that “education is the most important weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Here in Juneau, our children are beginning preparations for going back to school. It is an opportunity and a blessing that we all too often take for granted. I hope we all take the opportunity to sit down with our children and teach them about the importance of education. Education shines a light into dark places, it inspires an intellectual curiosity that powers innovation, it helps erase prejudices and racism and shows us parts of the world and cultures beyond our own. Education battles generational poverty and lifts families and communities. Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated, “Education is the difference between wishing you could help other people and being able to help them.” In other words, if we do not educate ourselves, we will not have the skills, knowledge or financial resources to help our fellow people and communities. He further explained, “Education is yours to obtain, no one else can gain it for you. Wherever you are, develop a deep desire to learn … getting an education is not just a privilege; it is a religious responsibility.”
I hope we can all cultivate this aspiration for knowledge and education, not only in our children, but also in ourselves. We must all continue to find time in our lives for learning. If a friend is working on their car, doing a home repair or sewing some curtains, we can ask if we can come watch and learn. We can visit the amazing libraries and museums we have in our community. We can download books onto our phones or otherwise access the endless amounts of knowledge at our fingertips. With free apps like Duolingo or Memrise, we can learn to speak another language in a few minutes a day, making our world a little smaller. From the beating of our hearts to the song of a bird, the world in which we live is a miracle of God’s creation. Discovering how these things work gives us a greater appreciation for the blessings we all enjoy. The fact that you are now reading these words indicates that you are a seeker of knowledge. Share your knowledge, skills, talents and abilities with those around you. Whether it is teaching someone to make your famous chocolate chip cookies, helping your neighbor learn to plant a garden or sharing a favorite book with a friend, we can help those around us grow and learn. Please share with your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews the vision of the blessings of education, increase your resolve to become a lifelong learner and actively share your knowledge with all those around you. By doing so we will bless our families and brighten our community.
• Jacqueline Tupou is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders.
