26 May LEARNING AND TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN QUARANTINE/ARGENTINE
At times, life surprises us, inviting us to be open to the novelty which presents itself in the most unexpected ways. In the midst of the pandemic, one of my sisters asked me if I would be available to give maths lessons by video call. That is how I came to know Moctar, a Singalese man, around 35 years of age, who came to Argentina 3 years ago, seeking a better future. Now he is studying Secondary Education for adults in a language that is not his own, and virtually. I began to help him with his maths. homework on video chats.
I was struck by his eagerness to get on, his efforts and perseverance to complete his exercises and to understand a little more every day. He worked as a blacksmith and doing odd jobs, and usually at night, after his day’s work he settled down to his studies. If only there were more like him in our world, grateful, respectful, full of dreams, eager to be better each day!
I enjoy the classes I have with him so much, with my desire to collaborate by putting my gifts at the service of others, in the certain belief that through education, we can reach out to others, that we can help others feel valued and loved, feel that, with effort, they can achieve what they propose. I long for a world without borders, where no one feels a stranger, where we all consider ourselves brothers and sisters, valuing what is “different”, because when we encounter others we receive so much from God
Lucía Montes de Oca, aci
