Chanboreamey

I love my students. No, I cannot currently pronounce half of their names and in all honesty I cannot say that I even know the other half’s’ names….yet…but I love them just the same. I have only spent three days with my 2^nd-8^th grade ESL classroom, not even to teach but just to observe. Only three days and these kids have already made Cambodia more of a home for me.

            One teeny-tiny little girl has already discovered such an enormous space of my heart to squeeze into. Her name is Chanboreamey. Every day she runs up to me thrilled to merely say good morning. Chanboreamey holds this precious, radiant, smile that makes me want to adopt her as my little sister. She is brilliant; I can already see it.

Liza on the left, and Boreamey on the right. Such sweet faces.

            Each morning up to now Chanboreamey has wiggled her way over to my seat, reading silently until she comes across a word she is unsure of. “Tee-cha,” she says, “I do not know this word.” I will utilize shrugs, nods, smaller and simpler words, and anything I can muster up to describe these new words to her. Eventually I will see the light bulb click on inside her head and almost immediately that brilliant smile of hers lights up along with it. She quickly will write this new word down with a Khmer translation next to it, in order to not forget. She repeats this same routine, maybe up to 50 times in a couple of class periods, following me around the room with book in hand to get help in between the other students. 

            Here’s the catch, I know she recognizes and understands at least half of the words she asks me. Like I stated previously, she is a bright little girl. However, she still pretends to be oblivious in order to receive “help” from her Tee-cha. She is ravenous for attention, not in an aggravating and disruptive way, but in such a sweet and innocent manner. She simply wants reassurance.

            Last week, before walking out of the classroom, Chanboreamey wrapped her little arms around my legs and looked up at me with her big brown eyes and whispered “Oh, I just love you so much Tee-cha.” She has stolen my heart.

Here’s another catch; this little girl may be getting my “help”, but what she does not realize is that she is helping my sometimes empty, somewhat homesick, and pretty starved heart in such a greater and more incredible way that she could even imagine. Chanboreamey’s tiny heart holds so much joy. This teeny-tiny little girl  has already been enough; she has given me a reason to stay. 

-Amber