【非洲異國情】鄉村學校

 

咩,咩... 加連在草屋內睡在草蓆上被吵醒,他彎過身起來,從屋草棚的隙縫望出去,要知道究竟。一看之下發現原來有幾隻吃過母羊喂奶的小羊在追逐嬉戲。太陽在紅亮的天邊從山間緩緩地露出來,他的小弟早已起來走到外邊,在羊群中像是在尋找什麼。母親和姐姐在露天的爐頭旁團團的忙著煮食,預備一家的早點,更要緊的是為上學的子女預備午膳。

漂遊至安頓

加連是西非保拿族的小孩子。他的族人是個遊牧民族,近半個世紀因旱災損害群畜,許多同族人都放棄了遊牧生活,改而定居城市,卻仍依賴畜牧為生。安居城市的族群與鄰族發生不少問題,如他們沒有足夠地方安置自己的牲畜,牛群不慎踐踏別人的田莊,牠們每天大量耗用食水下,危害城市的供水能力; 又因使用水井常生爭吵,加劇與鄰族的磨擦,還有帶來當地教育資源的沉重負荷。

早於十多年前,加連父母一家和七個家庭從遠處遷來,當地村長老只允准給他們在不遠一處滿佈大小石頭的山丘居住。村中有學校,但父母們都遲遲不願他們的小孩上學。原因是村內仍未有一所建築物校舍,只有草棚作課室,學生每天只能在棚內,坐在殘破的枱椅上學習,環境惡劣。保拿族群學生人少,因常受到其他族群孩童歧視,漫駡,甚至以石頭攻擊的排斥。因種種不利處境下,父母對子女要上學的事感到擔憂。今年有了一所由外國協助興建的新校舍,對村民是一個天大的喜訊和盼望,教育局又加派了老師人手,祈盼新校和新增教育援助為他們族人的教育發展帶來轉機。保拿族也漸漸明白和接受子女進校受教育的重要,加連和卅多位村內小朋友去年都報了名入學。

校園一天遊

校鐘從遠處第一次敲響後,加連便急忙與十多位孩童齊集等候,由一位婦女帶領步行兩公里才到達學校。當天他們浩浩蕩蕩前行,猶如走進另一個世界,而對學校環境事物,生活和規矩等,需要費一番力來學習。開學當天,加連和同村小孩初踏進校舍時,遇到許多其他族群的孩童而感到畏縮,只有呆呆在一處等候指示。稍後聽訓令而進課室,與三、 四位同學擠在一張只有一米寬的坐椅內,要嚴陣守護座位,免被人奪了去。 好不容易才到小休時刻,走出課室後,要排隊輪流從水桶內取水飲渴。然後到空地去吃早點,是他們的嬸嬸為他們帶來的糕點和羊奶,之後再回課室學習。中午校鐘響後,嬸嬸還要帶領這卅多小孩步行返回村落休息和吃飯,準備下午三點再來學校上課,直到下午五時才下課。

村校的掙扎

一般村民家境是貧困的,許多家長都支持子女上學,但對照顧子女每天上學要預備的工作,如為子女梳洗清潔,衣著和膳食等安排,事前未有校方明確指引。開學多日,校方發現部份學生仍衣衫不整,赤足和兩手空空走進校舍來,在多次勸導未果下,不少學生也得被勒令退學。

鄉村生活規律鬆散,未能適應學校嚴緊規律生活的要求。村民遇有事故時,家裏的膳食便受影響。如果午餐未能準備時,小孩當天下午就不能再上學。校方曾推行校膳供應服務,近年因全國出現特殊問題,影響資源分配,有關服務已終斷。加上家長因生計和事故,就希望小孩不上課幾天,留在家中幫補家計。如是者,學生的上課出席率受影響,甚至有中途綴學,好一段时間學生缺席率接近四分之一,實在令人憂慮。

鄉村辦學在資源需求上遠比城市方面為多。老師多是在城市成長和適應城市生活的,對鄉村生活並不適應。有家庭子女的老師的住家是在村外的,他們下課後便速速離去。校舍若有教員宿舍還好點,師生下課後仍有時間接觸和給予輔導功課。還有,鄉村學校物資缺乏,校舍除了基本設施外,許多都沒有校舍圍牆,影響校園的寧靜和治安。除了課堂學習外,下課後卻沒有康樂活動,來發展學生的體能和文娛,精神和智能,也阻礙學生學業和個人的成長。

發展與挑戰

除了設施和資源外,還有要緊的是校園紀律,學生間的尊重互愛。許多鄉村學校是由多個鄰近不同群族所組成,學生來自不同文化背景、生活習慣和待人處事的標準,若沒有正面教導和執行校訓,學生之間漸出現分門別類、歧視、大族欺凌小族等事件。還有師生間的道德問題尤要關注,如師生戀、不當的身體接觸至成孕等個案層出不窮。受懲處老師中,村校情況較為嚴重,這為學校、家庭和社會帶來莫大創傷,使家長對漸成年的女兒應否繼續上學而感到卻步,或要求子女停學。

鄉村教育發展是許多非洲國家的政府一個大挑戰。多年前,在西非一帶曾有過大力推動教育的運動,鄉村學校如雨後春筍,許多老師應召到鄉校來工作。過了多年,有不少村校已關閉,沒有老師再來,事因教育政策不斷更改,老師等無所適從。在所有困難中,最嚴重的是資源不足,經費縮緊,失卻支助,村校是首當其衝。若老師待遇和學生午膳兩大項的支援能穩定供應, 今後村校教育的發展便可穩健持續下去,老師的事業理想和尊嚴受到肯定, 村民的下一代教育能夢想成真。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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