Little Creature with Big Heart

Maya, so little yet big hearted.
“I want to be a teacher like you. A smart and beautiful teacher. I want to teach at my village.”

Maya

April 21^st 2018, that’s when I met May. I was volunteering to help children learning. I took part in social organization (Instagram: @socialdesignee) discovered and held by college students. Maya was assign to me, she was quiet and small. My first meeting her, she was so shy that she only talks when being asked. My experienced with children is when you gained their interest they will likely obeye. Not long, Maya started to talk continuously I was unable to make her stop. What moved my heart is when she said, “I want to be a teacher like you. A smart and beautiful teacher. I want to teach at my village.” I have met many diligent children with dreams of a Doctor, Prosecutor, Pilot or police. Maya wants to be a teacher, but only to teach at her village not some fancy expensive school.

Indonesians believe that every child’s failure is the mistake done by their own parent. No matter how maturely they have grown, their success, failure and behavior is the result of parenting. Myself is yet to understood because I am not a parent. But as a 22 soon to be 23 years old woman, looking back to every decision I made since I started having so many desirable, my parent tried to take part of it. Their reason is for us not to make wrong decision and repeat their mistake. Therefore parents introduce the life they desire for their child since golden age.

Everyone involve in parenting me persuaded me well enough for me to dream of becoming a doctor. Every time a question being asked about dream, the answer is “I’ll be a doctor.” However, times changed as I learned since I reached teenagers live. Middle School, I dreamed to be a reporter who travels all around the world. Then High School, I wanted to become prosecutor who helps innocent people. However, when I graduated High School unexpected things occurred that causes me falling into the bad kind of live. The wrong decision I made caused many disappointment. Though it took awhile for me to realize, I was grateful for all the life lesson I learned. I was involve in teaching and helping children. Time spent with children created the new me. Then I decided to continue my study majoring in English Literature for Teaching. I am graduating soon, yet still have no specific job I want to pursue. However, one thing I want to do for my live is helping people. My dream is to make all around me smile and happy. Especially children who helped me realize and escape the dark live. What's your dream since you were just a child? Had more than a dream? Hahaha...

Maya still has long journey ahead of her, I want her to continue believing her dream. She has a big heart with noble dream that inspires me. Though I had to go through dark time in becoming the Selma now, I wish for Maya to never had to experience that. In the future, I want to see her become a teacher.

Keep on believing Maya!