Teachers offer hope for immigrant children

Exquisite detail of a wooden door at a private residence, Sevilla, Spain. In keeping with the Sunday Scribblings theme, I think the horseman looks as though he's galloping off to rescue someone.

For the Sunday Scribblings prompt "hero" I could write about many people, famous and not-so-famous. The common traits all these amazing men and women share is selflessness and compassion. In their desire to improve the lot of others, these heroes risk persecution, jail sentences and in some cases, even death.

Today I want to focus on a select group of heroes in France: teachers. Being a teacher in itself can be pretty heroic - witness this heart-tugging piece from Wendy at Quiet about a Lot of Things.

Some French teachers go above and beyond the call of duty: not only do they teach their usual classes and help expand children's minds to learning, they shelter immigrant children at their homes. They feed, clothe and provide shelter, medical care and education for these children forced by an unrealistic immigration policy to be separated from their parents.

In France, the law stipulates that immigrant children cannot be deported without their parents, while parents cannot be deported without their children. In an effort to halt families from being deported at the end of the school term- most of them to countries in Africa beset with war, drought and food shortages - some French teachers are caring for the immigrant children, hiding them at their homes or safe houses.

Of course the French have a history of sheltering children in times of war and difficult circumstance. Many of these immigrant children were born in France and have lived all their lives on French soil. To be forcibly uprooted to an unfamiliar environment, often with civil unrest, political instability and harsh living conditions is just wrong - no matter how you look at it.

For wrenching firsthand accounts of the daily struggles involved for an illegal immigrant in Paris, read Le Clandestine a Paris:

"...But I tell myself that for goodness' sake, I have been through worse. I survived a genocide, witnessed my entire family hacked to death with machettes, but have managed to live with the incommensurable grief."

Currently an estimated 400,000 illegal immigrants reside in France, of whom 50,000 are thought to be children currently attending school. Many parents have requested political asylum, but their pleas have been rejected. Meanwhile, the children suffer - separated from their families, in a desperate bid for safe havens. And the teachers - following their conscience, rather than the law - risk their jobs and jail to help these children.

And the government? Still debating the problems associated with immigration, illegal or otherwise. It is hoped elections next spring will result in a government up to the challenge.

Comments

[Marilyn]

I agree--teachers everywhere are true heroes (especially in this day and age). What a valiant thing, to harbor those immigrant children.

[deirdre]

The thought of children being separated from their parents is just heartwrenching. These teachers have huge hearts to put themselves in a difficult position to help children.

[sharala]

Thanks for educating us about this. I knew the French weren't all that great about their foreign residents but it is good to know that there are those that are standing up to racism.
There's a lesson to be learned in the US too.

[AscenderRisesAbove]

very thought provoking piece; "quiet about a lot of things' was very moving. so glad you provide us with a place to speak to each other about such issues

[Melba]

I love to hear about other countries because I get so tunnel visioned here in America.

Yes, teachers are Heros. My little 6 (almost 7) year old niece Sammie was having HUGE problems in school last year. She wouldn't talk in school or do any of her work. Her parents are going through a bitter custody battle and the teacher talked of leaving her back. I pleaded with my Mom (who lives with them) not to let this happen. I knew Sammie would be OK. They live in another state, but I talk to Sammie on the phone several times a week.

Well, this year her teacher has 30 students in the class with no helpers. Yet the teacher takes her time with Sammie. At first she would let her whisper answers in her ear and let her work at her own pace. Now, through this teachers patience and encouragement Sammie is thriving in school. My Mother read me a letter the teacher wrote to my brother last week saying how well Sammie is doing and how proud she is of her. The teacher did not have to write that letter or even take an interest in Sammie, but she did. She has saved her acedemic life just by caring.
I am getting all welled up thinking about the situation.
Thank you for this post!

XO,
Melba

[Nina]

I must say, from a 'brown/foreign" person perspective, many fail to understand let alone emphatise on what it feels like to seek for hope/opportunity elsewhere especially young children. Teachers should be better rewarded and appreciated in our soceity.

I hope all is well in Paris la folie!;-)

[sundaycynce]

Tara, You really do expand and enrich your readers regularly with what you post. A teacher myself for these many years, I had NO idea such situations existed. How right you are to celebrate such dedicated individuals as heros. Thanks for stretching our awareness. SC

[sheela]

Yay for teachers, and those teachers in particular!

[naturegirl]

Great image for this post!The horseman represents the *teachers* with the *angel spirit* protecting these children!Yes heroes they are ..I thank you and I applaude those wonderful teachers!

[Imelda]

Great post, and highlighting something so important to all of us, wherever we live, it seems. Knowing this about those teachers just lifts my heart - heroism in reality. Thanks.

[meredith]

You've chosen a great group of heroes to highlight. The immigrant children ensconced in the french school system are usually from some of the most integrated families and one wonders why they would be deported.

[wendy]

To have my name mentioned on your blog, is like having the highest compliment paid to me. You teach, dear, I just wipe noses...but thank you..thank you for including me with you. I'm blushing with pride!

[rel]

Tara,
In so many places and so many situations, it is the average joe and jill, rising to the occasion, following their heart, that shows us heroism. Compassion transcends politics. Your heart is in the right place and I rely on you to broaden my awareness of the world.

[my backyard]

I had no idea this was happening. Very touching.

[sage]

such politics begets their own agenda! wonderful piece, provocative and poignant, thank you for sharing.

sage

[Jone]

Wow, I didn't know this. Thank you for sharing such a powerful piece. And it wonders me if it will ever come to that in the US.

[tinker]

I think I remember you posting about this a while back, and I had hoped the situation might have improved by now; but immigration/sustaining a country's population is a complicated issue. Sometimes I fear we might reach that point here.
Somehow we need to come up with some answers before it does.
The teachers in France are definitely heroes - to follow what you know is the righteous path is seldom easy - and sometimes dangerous, it can be so much easier to ignore a problem. My hat goes off to them for taking what steps they can to remedy a bad situation.

Also - thank you for another superb Spanish door! This one reminds me of El Cid.

[michelle]

These teachers are heroes of the highest order. Thanks for sharing this.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

Wonderful piece, Tara. When will governments try to work with the reality of situations instead of policies that punish under the guise of "prevention?" Hmmm. Wonderful links for your readers as well, merci! love & peace to you, Tara. JP

[Laura]

Tara, you share with us such important information. I read your blog daily for many reasons--- for pleasure, for instruction, for friendship. Thanks for giving so freely of all of these.