By Michael Javier, Columban Lay Missionary

The Columban house in Myitkyina, Kachin state, is located within the compound of Eden. It is surrounded by bamboo and a variety of trees that provide more than enough shelter for the different kinds of animals, including birds, snakes, bees, and more.

There is also space for growing flowers and vegetables. Since gardening is not new to me, and inflation in Myanmar remains high, I spend my free time in the mornings cultivating the soil and  planting whatever vegetable seeds are available. So far, I have planted lady fingers, chilis, roselle, and mustard. I also tried growing  radish and carrots, but unfortunately, they did not thrive.

Growing seeds need a lot of  patience. Some sprout quickly but others take more time. Once they’ve grown, they still need extra care, as they are still vulnerable. I water them every day and protect them from harsh weather conditions and predators like snails and birds. Most of the time, their soft, tiny, and young stalks can bend easily, which is why I put some support for them to grow upright. After a few months of caring, they will begin to bear fruit and soon, ready for harvest.

I believe that there are many similarities between planting and teaching. As I teach young minds, I feel like I am cultivating a garden, nurturing the seeds of learning to grow and bear fruit. I have also come to realize that my students, like plants, are vulnerable and in need of extra care, support and guidance.

I have to be especially patient in encouraging them to keep learning, especially the slow learners. I do believe that once they are equipped with the necessary education and skills, they will be able to face life’s real challenges with courage and confidence.

Caring for young learners also have its own challenges. Just as these plants face extreme weather conditions in their early days of growth, these young learners also face extreme poverty and disconcerting social issues that threaten their security and make their future dimmer.

The ongoing political and economic crisis is alarming. Yet, despite all these challenges, their eagerness to learn and their indomitable spirit to pursue their ambition in life are quite admirable. I see them cultivating their own pathway towards success in life, little by little, day by day, as they continue their studies with determination and diligence.

For me, the real joy in nurturing young minds is when I see them doing their best and never wanting to stop learning, no matter what kind of weather they have to go through each day. And through their unrelenting spirit, I have come to realize that they are nurturing me, too.

Note: Michael Javier is a Filipino Columban Lay Missionary currently serving in Myanmar.