Starting School: More precious than we think

Ever thought how lucky you are to be able to read?

I’ve just finished reading the inspirational story of George Dawson, grandson of an American slave, who learned to read at age 98. It got me thinking about what a precious gift education is. For many children around the world, going to school is still no more than a longed for dream. How can we help them?

Thousands of little children all over Australia start school for the first time this week. Decked out with their new clothes and mushroom hats, filled with trepidation, nervousness or excitement – it’s a privilege we don’t even think to question in a country like Australia.

What would your life be like if you had never had the chance to go to school?

“I always had a dream that I would learn how to read,” says George*. “It was my secret, that I couldn’t read. There was nothing I couldn’t do and my mind was as good as anyone’s. That’s just how it was. All my life, I had been just too busy working to go to school.”

“My mind worked hard. When I travelled somewhere, I could never read a sign. I had to ask people things and had to remember. I could never let my mind forget anything, never let my mind take a vacation.”

This is still the reality for many children all over the world. They have to work to help their families, for their own survival. Often they are working to make things for us, to bring us our morning cup of tea.

This may seem like a problem too big, too huge for us to tackle. But it is not. By buying Fairtrade tea, you could actually be helping to support that child’s community. By ensuring that their parents are fairly paid you provide them chance to attend school and learn. Provide them with hope.



George Dawson’s story is not one of hardship, it is one of hope. At 101 years old, George was working to get his GED (a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American academic skills). In his words “The reading is coming along. I work on my writing every day and that is getting better too.” When asked if he would consider an honorary qualification to take into account his age, his response was, “No, what I get, I will work for and earn... Last week a lady sent me a letter. She is sixty years old and thought she was too old to go back to school. Then she read about me and changed her mind. She went back and told me that it was the best thing she ever did. Too many people need me so I can’t do anything less than my best.”

We don’t always need to do the big things to make a difference. It can sometimes be as simple as making the small choices Good ones.

When you drop the kids at school this week, and you sit down to drink that first cup of tea – think about who worked to bring that tea to you. If you are drinking Fairtrade tea, you may just have given a child like yours the chance to hope, the chance to dream.

And then spare a thought for George. In his words, “Be happy for what you have. Help somebody else instead of worrying. It will make a person feel better. It’s good to be generous. It doesn’t take much to make a difference.”

*Life is so good, by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman

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