Mentorship is a fundamental part of what we do. Guiding the students to find their path, to be their best and encouraging them to do the same for their communities. Bina truly exemplifies these qualities. In grade 12, she is a good student, a poet and a voracious reader, and this last year she took her love of basketball and began coaching underserved women of her community- women in wheelchairs.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/watch?v=-0YnaXZkz38″>
Basketball
Every Saturday I wait for them
They wheel their chairs onto the court
some carry air pumps
some bring balls and little colored cones
When they see me, they say, “Namaste, Guruma!”
Guruma means teacher.
But many of them are adults,
have daughters older than me.
So I say, call me something different.
Okay, they say, and call out
“Namaste, sister.”
I am capable to teach others
And, I learn too
To coach this group is
like the poem I learned in eleventh grade:
The child is the Father of Man
I belong again
in another family
this group of athletes
wheeling their chairs towards their dreams.
Spinal problem
Polio
Amputee
They dribble the ball
pass the ball
and shoot to score.
You should hear them shouting
“Yeta! Yeta! Ma khali chu!”
Pass me the ball, I’m free!
Free from being held back
Free from others’ rules
Free from the walking world.
They shoot the leather
high in the air
adding points to their team
cooperation
acceptance
I train with them sitting in a wheelchair too
so they would see
how I’m trying to understand.
I never look down on them
I teach them
game strategy
passing techniques
dribbling tricks
I gain their respect.
Now, they think of me as family.
Bina
2018
We are so proud of all Bina has accomplished and the bright future ahead of her!!
