Love and education
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to transform the world.” Nelson Mandela after accepting the 1993 Nobel Peace prize
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1960s Civil Rights Activist
Two of my heroes are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Each had very strong views on how to bring about transformation. For Nelson Mandela, it was education. For Martin Luther King Jr., it was love. Do the two quotes above contradict or corroborate each other? Is education more powerful than love? Can you educate without loving, and can you love without educating?
Over my time as principal of Operation Restoration Christian School (ORCS) in Trench Town, I have been a frequent visitor to police stations around Kingston and St. Andrew in my quest to defend children against abuse. I remember once giving a statement on a case of incest I had learned about. We had spent hours waiting to be seen, and when I was finished giving my statement on that matter, I started to talk about something else I was hearing students at school saying about the female at the heart of the matter. The officer quickly stopped me and urged me to stick to the case, saying, “Sir, I don’t ask these girls questions ’cause if I do, I would end up arresting the whole street.” I was stunned by the comments, but the sad thing for our country is that it is true.
AGAPE LOVE TRANSFORMED HER
This girl had only been with us a couple of months when this incident occurred, and during this time she barely said anything or made any progress academically. Her teacher tried her best to get through to her, but to no avail. After the incident, she started making a habit of coming to my office. She would come in and just sit and stare into space. I started giving her work to do, which she did. One day, the Holy Spirit prompted me to do something different. I was questioning her when I was led to close the office door, which was usually wide open when she was inside. Having blocked out all noise and distractions, I then sat and firmly but gently called her by name and said, “I know a lot of men have done bad things to you and have hurt you, but I will never hurt you or treat you that way.” After this I reopened the door.
Something shifted for her after that. My words had connected, and her teacher excitedly commented on the improvements she was making and how much more open she was. Everyone could see the change in her. Then she learned to spell my name and began to write it everywhere she could. She carved it out on the door and on her desk and wrote it on the wall with white-out.
MY STUDENT TAUGHT ME
This incident and many others have taught me that education empowers, but love transforms.
Love transformed this girl’s life. At a time when she thought no one cared about her, she found a school that did.
My desire is to see more Christians in the class room, as the best recipe for transformation in our nation is educating with the love of God. ‘A love that is kind, patient, does not envy or seek its own, a love that endures.’ 1 Cor. 13. The Greek word for this type of love is ‘Agape’ and it is the love that God the Father demonstrated for us by sending His son, Jesus to die in our place even while we spat in His face.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children ofGod!” 1 John 3:1
An elder at his church, Robert Dixon is the principal of Operation Restoration Christian School (ORCS) in Trench Town.
ORCS operates largely through donations from well-wishers. To contact them for ways you can help, please visit their website at operation-restoration.org/