Beginnings and an Endings
This week marks the 4 year anniversary of us coming here from Texas, 2 suitcases in hand and a bucket full of naivete.
4 years ago is also when we went searching for adequate education for the 4 kids, which we somewhat found in the then frail Omololu International school which was then operating out of temporary housing, one large room with grades K - 6th.
While the school had a long history of success, it had hit some hard times and was reduced to the then "barely functional" status with about 34 student.
Since then, a group of parents, the school's founder and other community members have put our blood, sweat, tears, money and time into growing this institution with a special spirit, into a blossoming International school with 95 students in our new permanent site you see below. Many of you actually helped build it also in the form of a donation to the "Anguilla Luxury Raffle" that took place last year and for that I will forever be grateful. I wish you all could come visit, walk into that gate and feel the welcome, sense the spirit, enthusiasm and community that lives there. You would be so proud!
It's taken us almost a year to accomplish but we recently received a $450K building grant from the Windsong Foundation, which has helped us construct and move into the school site you see below.
We've hired wonderful staff, created a board, got land from the Government of Anguilla and turned Omololu into an amazing place for local, regional and foreign children on the island, including special needs kids who previously had no place to get the attention they need. Omololu does have a long history of up's and downs and I have no doubt that we're not done struggling but if anyone had told me or anyone else that this is what we would be able to accomplish and leave behind for the next generation, I would have called you insane.
The "next generation" bit is particularly heart breaking to me today, as my sons are right now spending their last few hours at Omololu. This afternoon we are leaving for Switzerland for 5 weeks on our first big family trip, our first visit to Switzerland in 6 years and our last few weeks together as a family in this configuration.
My oldest is done with 6th grade and here in Anguilla where we have the UK school system, that means he now has to go to high school, for which there is currently no feasible alternative on island. So the boys are moving back to the US with their Dad as soon as we get back from Switzerland.
I'm not entirely sure what our household is going to look and feel like. I cannot imagine life without those two. But it's the right thing to do for the boys, for their Dad, for their education and hence for us.
And if Anguilla has taught us one thing, it's adaptation, creative problem solving and resilience.
Every end is also the beginning of something new.
I don't know how the girls and I will cope without all the wild things - but we will.
Francie,I know you are heartbroken. But you have raised good boys and they will grow from the new experiences they will have back in the US. Please keep posting about your experiences.
Missed seeing you in April at the Admin Conference in Boston, but alas we are no longer using Notes so my Lotus conferences are no more.
I love reading about your island life so keep writing.
Reply to this
What a wonderful and sad story. As a parent I am supremely impressed with your dedication to making the school a better institution. I am even more impressed with the energy and time devoted to something that will better future generations while realizing the your our children would never fully benefit from it. Amazing work!
Reply to this
You will do just fine. I have never met anyone that is more capable of adapting to change then you. Oh and please, have a Cervelat for me back home
Reply to this
re: the boys moving: Wow. I can't even imagine how that feels. I know you will handle it far better than most, though.
Reply to this
What a wonderful and heartbreaking post. First, congratulations on such an amazing achievement with the school - you've help achieve something truly great.
Secondly, I'm sad for you and your family that the boys have to go live in the US to get the education they need, but I understand it. It'll be tough but as Debbie wrote, you've raised great kids and they'll do great. And of course you and the girls will adapt to your new style of family life.
Reply to this
It's an exciting new adventure. Words can't express how sad I am for you, or how proud I am of you for truly doing the best thing for your children.
Reply to this
You've done a wonderful job with those kids. After the holiday, when your family changes, I think you know where to go when you need to talk...we're all here.
Reply to this
I know how you feel totally since I'm toying with the same thing only for different reasons. After 22 years, living in Anguilla, I woke up one day and I missed my immediate family, my daughter, and my grandchildren. Its time to return to the USA.....Its sad but true....
Reply to this
Oh Francie,
My heart cries with yours. They're your babies and they always will be, no matter how old they get.
I have a hard enough time with two weeks away from my kidlings. I can't imagine longer than that. I pray time passes quickly between holidays, when hopefully you can all be together again.
Sending e-hugs.
...Deb
Reply to this