Violence=Violence

Today I had the privilege of going to Bosmo which is a primary school.  I went along with Teo as the Phonics teaching is coming to an end since the children are going to get out for summer break soon.  We were giving the students an exam today.  I walked up and down their desks to make sure no one was cheating.  After they had all finished Teo and started to grade all of the test on a bench outside of the classroom.  The teacher was no where to be found.  Half way through grading the exams we both heard the sound of someone being canned.  Immediately we jumped up and ran into the classroom to find a boy, Isaac, canning three of his classmates who are girls.  Immediately Teo took the sticks from him.  I pulled the three little girls out of the classroom and Teo addressed Isaac asking him if he would like to be canned himself.  She asked him if it pains him.  He said yes.  Then Isaac got his things and walked out of the room.  Outside the classroom I gave those three little girls big hugs and tried to wipe away their tears.  I asked them why Isaac had hit them and they said no reason.  I looked all of them in the eyes and I told them what Isaac did is wrong.  No one should ever cane you!  I am so sorry this has happened to you!  After they went back into the classroom Teo came out to look for Isaac.  She then found out that Isaac had run away.  The gatekeeper chased him for a little while and then fell down so he came back to the school.  As Teo was gone I took the opprotunity to again address the class.  I told them all that what Isaac did is wrong.  No one should ever be canned.  I told them they are all made in God's image and He loves them very much and does not want them to every be hit like that.  As Teo and I went back to grading the papers the teacher reappears.  Teo tells him what happened and he goes over and talks to the gatekeeper not Teo.  He then goes into his classroom to ask the kids what happened. Immediately Teo went into the classroom with him.  In front of the teacher she told the class again canning is wrong.   You should never be canned!  If you see someone being canned or if you are being canned you need to write a letter to Children of Grace with the teacher's name on the paper and we will come and put a stop to it because we do not believe in canning.  Teo also told the teacher do not cane Isaac when he returns to school tomorrow!  (I was so proud of Teo for how she handled that situation!  We will follow up with that school to make sure Isaac does not get canned.  We need to stop this by empowering the students to stand up against this as it is very wrong!  I feel bad for poor Isaac as he is a product of his environment.  He has grown up seeing others being canned and probably being canned himself and so he does it to others.)