Today we went to visit Jeniffer. Jeniffer joined the school last year, but has been absent for the last 3 weeks. When I asked the school staff what was going on, they said that her mom had just been released from prison, and that there were many problems in the home. Well, a good social worker doesn’t let that stop her, so 4 of us (myself, social work professor Ann Coyne, social work grad student Carmen, and local social worker Gladys) went to Jeniffer’s house to see what was going on and get her back in school.
At Jeniffer’s house, we were warmly received by Jeniffer, her mom, and her great grandmother. They said that Jeniffer wasn’t able to go to school for several reasons – her shoes had broken, she didn’t have all of her uniform, and she was out of notebooks and school supplies. They also struggle to pay the bus fee and Jeniffer doesn’t want to walk. Jeniffer was very excited to see us, and signed all about the things she does each day – climbing trees, playing hide and seek with the other children in her neighborhood. Jeniffer said that she likes school and wants to learn. She currently meets with the Jehovah’s Witness group 2x per week, as they have an outreach to the deaf and sign extremely well.
We talked as a group of social workers and felt that it would just be downright stupid to let expenses keep Jeniffer from going to school. So, we drilled it into their heads (nicely of course) that Jeniffer should walk to school each day. Then we went and got her the shoes, socks, notebooks, backpack, and clothes that she needed. We don’t require uniforms, but everyone here takes great pride in wearing them!
Jeniffer was ecstatic to have these new items (especially her Hanna Montana backpack). For $1.00, her mom had Jeniffer’s shoes fixed so that she now has 2 pairs, and then she walked her to school today. Jeniffer excitedly told all the other students about our trip and her new things. It was so moving to be a part of this – Jeniffer has little chance for a job without a good education. She is smart and signs well, but will need to learn to read, write and do basic math if she wants to rise above the poverty her family currently lives in.
Jeniffer, her mom, and her great grandmother, live in a one-room house about the size of my living room (and my living room isn’t all that big…). A clothesline was stretched in front of the house, which sits off the street about 20 feet. The house is divided by large towels into different areas. They wash all their clothes (the few that they own) by hand in a sink that probably serves to wash their dishes and prepare their food as well. Jeniffer’s mom works off and on, and her dad is not with the family. Much of their food comes from the mango tree that hangs over their house. I’m not sure, but I don’t think they have an indoor bathroom. Yet despite the poverty all around her, Jeniffer is a happy little girl. Hopefully, now that she has the tools, she will continue with her education, which gives her hope for a better future.
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