A Teacher Can Empower: My Story

I have a story to share, a story not so different from other fellow Bhutanese teachers, a story behind who I am today. I was born to a middle-class family, my mom told me my Dad used to be a militant in Royal Bhutan Army I was barely 6 by the time he was retired, but I bet he was, because that altruism runs strong in my veins. But today I am not going to narrate about incidences of my act of patriotism nor my bravery rather this is story of how I decided, that very sensational moment which defined my dream and hope. 

To be honest, I grew up in kind of hostile family, no offence to my parents, mom and dad use to get into fight for various never ending reasons, often dad would do something wrong mom would not stay quiet and things would turn ugly, dad wouldn’t admit it, resulting to fierce fight often leading to escaping from home, only way back into house would depend on time he takes to cool down his anger or perhaps till the time alcohol subsides its effect. This seemingly routine act would often interfere with my normal sleep hours, in turn, i would find myself hard to keep my tried eyes open during lessons in the classroom. I am not blaming my dad for his outrageous anger, for his good qualities far exceeds bad ones. In particular, it is his anger that pushed me closer to my ambition. Let me attempt to elaborate this point, due to hostile environment at home, I loved school more than home, and more importantly it brought me close to caring godly like figure, so called "Madam." I still remember her name, she was embodiment of kindness and compassion. Madam Yangki was known for her kindness and compassion. Her talk was soft and melodious, her choice of words had no flaws, her compassion knew no boundaries. She would talk to me like my parents would in their best days, she would often walk me half way home, feed me when I look pale and sick. I would run short of adjectives to describe her kindess. I have found my second parent in her. She empowered me and gave the attention I needed in my young tender days. 

Remarkably, one sunny day, my new high school English teacher made us to share our ambitions, damn I clearly remember that embarrassing, yet sensational moment. I was seated in first column first row, so the question came straight to me, I went blank and I tried hard to think what would I want to be, but all I could remember was kindness of Madam Yangki, so involuntarily my lips uttered I want to become “Madam", the whole class broke into laughter, I was embarrassed, but after a while my English teacher affirmed saying, “Boy you mean you want to become a teacher?” I retorted, “Exactly sir!” from that moment on, I fancied the new ambition. My new hope; a hope aroused from craving for care and warmth. I wanted to share my love and care to other kids like me, who had to, many a times experience hostility at home. I hope that all the students who are experiencing the same situation, find their Madam Yangki. Infact we all can be Madam Yangki. Lets choose kindness over anything.