PART II Records of Hope's Humanitarian Footprints in 2025 服務現場記實 貳
Voices of Faith In Everything
信心喊話
Often, we do not know who will appear in
our lives and in which forms they will show up; the only thing matters to us is
how we interpret all these encounters and produce the best outcome even when
the meet-ups look disruptive—in east Africa, this year during our service
journey, I was face to face with people who have treated serving the others one
of the priorities, so much so that going into these people’s dwelling places
and investigating more about these people’s livelihood, including the ways they
make a living, became the reality, not to mention the immediate donation of
finance when the needed are shown or appear.
我們常常不知道生命中會出現怎樣的人，他們會以什麼樣的形式進入我們的世界；真正重要的，是我們如何解讀這些相遇，並在其中創造出最好的結果，就算這些邂逅看似無端而突兀、甚至打亂了我們尋常的節奏。
今年在東非的服務之旅中，我親身面對把「服務他人」當作優先要務的人，不但願意深入經濟條件不足之人的住所，還願意瞭解他們的生計方式，這些真真切切的畫面有著撼動人心的力量，更不消說在有需要幫助之人出現、或者從他人口中被描述出來時的即刻經濟援助。
Out of our expectations, these matters,
happening when the visitors were still around, have something to do with what
this Principal and I are talking about: his school, as, seeing he is so
attentive to my story that’s yet to be developed, I inquired,
“Do you know why I would trace where you
are, to the point I would have to pay you all a visit there?”
出乎意料地，這些因為到訪者已經離開、但我還留在現場而歷歷在目之事，恰好與我和這名校長的對話相關，於是，正當他全神貫注聽我講述仍在發展中的故事時，我問道：
「您是否曾想過，為什麼我會查找您的訊息、以至於找到您現在所服務的學校去？」
This principal, looking at me wish such
honesty, explains that
“People in our school district are all very
happy that you arrived to visit us, as you had promised, especially those
parents. They have expressed again and again that ‘Headteacher, ask Madame Hope
to come back! We would like to see her and hear her words.’ Even after you just
left, they have told me so! I guess we’re all immersed into this rapture of
welcoming you; as a result, it never down on me that I should have scrutinized
the knowledge from your part of knowing where I am transferred to. Now that you
have mentioned it, I also would like to know, since I have not even told my
wife about exactly where I am teaching now since I do not want to upset her, making her feel sorry for me due to the horrible condition of this school, why would you want to know?”
這位校長真誠地看著我並且回答道：
「我們學區的人都很高興您依約來看望我們，尤其是家長們。他們一次又一次對我說：
我們的新任校長呀，請邀請邀請Hope，要她再來吧！我們很想再見見她、聽聽她說話!!!
就算在這種您才剛剛離開之後的日子，他們也是這樣跟我說耶!!!
我想大家都沉浸在迎接你的喜悅中，所以從沒想過您是怎麼知道是調任到這所新學校的。既然您會提起這件事，我也就更加好奇啦!!!
連我妻子都因為我不想讓她為我被調到一個殘破不堪的學校去而傷感，不知道我確切在哪兒教書，您又為何想要知道呢？」
“Before I answer you this question,” I laugh,
and bring him a cup of water because he explains he already took tea earlier
and water would be just fine. We are now sitting at our joint friend’s house,
which is a lot bigger than it used to; the old one, that same one where I
suffered, once, from diarrhea, with a quite benevolent companion during one of
the year we visited there together, and bed-bounded for at least two nights and
three days, like if we were disabled, and we could only vomit and keep vomiting,
is still over there. Compared with this new one though, the old one looks
extremely tiny. Facing the large amount of land used for crops now, encouraged
mostly by me, the little house has stored many fun memories through the years
ever after I arrived at the family. For example, it was in that more crammed
area that when electricity was all of a sudden gone again, another companion of
mine, also a student but only a teenager told me,
“Teacher, it is so scary. I could only see
their white teeth and the part of their eyes that are white. There is nothing
else I could have seen. It is like in the ghost story!”
在此同時，我笑了笑，遞給他一杯水，因此名校長解釋過他剛剛才飲用過奶茶，所以飲水就好。
在我回答之前，我不得不放眼望去我倆所處的，我們共同的朋友的新房子裡；這個房子確然比從前的那個大得多。那座舊屋現在還在。有一年，我曾在那裡和一位極其善良的同伴一同因疑似食物中毒而臥床數日，當時的我幾乎像殘疾人士一般，只能不停嘔吐。
兩相比較的話，現在的新房明顯地讓過去的那棟舊屋，顯得極為狹小。然而，那間小屋卻承載了許多珍貴的回憶。比如，當電力又突然中斷時，曾經有一位十幾歲的學生、也在某個年度和我一齊抵達當地，緊張地對我說：
「老師，好可怕！我只能看到他們的白牙和眼白，其他什麼都看不到，就像鬼故事一樣！」
At present, the new house boasts at least 3
to 5 times bigger than the original one, whereas the dining room where this
principal and I sat would be with a very huge wooden table and some heavy
chairs which always remind me of the key government official we went to visit
in their capital city: the person working in the government by then owned a
three-story tall mansion at a much secured, exclusive area with quite a few
other similar constructions. I still recall all those people going with me that
day for the purposes of the wellbeing of the other remote schools looked at the
mansion with their mouths and eyes wide open, as if a child from an orphanage
situated at an isolated, undeveloped region were given an opportunity to see an
amusement park for the first time in his/her life. What we did not forecast,
though, was after the meeting, the government official and his wife were
determined to outpace what my footsteps in the remote region, according to some
caring locals who would disclose nothing but the truths to me.
如今，這個新屋至少是原來面積的三到五倍。餐廳裡擺著沉重而巨大的長型餐桌和高而重的椅子，這些較為新穎、和舊家完全不同的陳設，較易讓我想起當年我們一夥人曾經因為當地偏鄉學校福祉事宜，千里迢迢從山上前往拜見首都某位政府要員的三層豪宅。一起同行的大多來自於鄉下，他們每個人在望向那棟當地的豪宅時，都瞠目結舌，彷彿某個際遇不佳的孤兒首度來到遊樂園般。
未曾料到的是，據當地熱心人告訴我，那位官員及其夫人後來竟被我與當地人的合作案件所激勵，甚至打算超越於我在偏遠地區所做的一切努力，像將我設想為一個假想敵那樣。
連一些該國在聯合國所提出的方案靈感，也源自我當時和在地人士討論過後所進行的種種計畫。
這也直接或者間接導致「有一位外國女性就這樣匹馬單槍前來我們在山中的社區協助我們」的消息不逕而走時，吸引來自其他國度的高科技界富有人士捐資，為這樣一個偏遠地區學校的教師們建立教師宿舍，以便路途遙遠的教師在雨季中，不至迫於上班道路的阻斷。
“They were stimulated by you. We heard some
of the ideas presented in the UN were also based on your deeds and projects
proposed back then. Not only those, later on, when word of mouth spread of that
a single lady from overseas was trying to assist us, it attracted millionaires
who are in the field of high-tech, who, afterwards, decided they would donate
money for the teachers’ blocks served as dorms for those who’re traveling from
afar to work there—the flooding in rainy seasons could truly block they
commuting back and forth the school!”
With all these stories already happening
previously, with all the stories that are still developing, I firstly replied
to this headteacher sitting in front me.
許許多多故事發生的時間，像昨天那樣清晰明朗，而未來所將發生的事情，又於現在不停蘊釀著舖陳的可能，這個生命實在精采可期呀!!!
回到眼前，在說下去之前，我倒是先反問這位校長：
「能否跟我談談你還是副校長時，與當時、也是目前這位校長共事的經歷？」
“Can you kindly inform me your experience
with your Headteacher when you were the Deputy Headteacher?”
Immediately he told me stories after
stories of how terrible this former Headteacher of his could be.
“This person is very abusive. I was asked ‘Hope
was here?! How much money did she give you?’”
My reply was ‘Nothing! You do not know her!
You have never met her! She is a person with principles! She is here to help
our pupils, not to just squander the money with her from those who donate the
money or from her!’”
此名校長毫無保留地娓娓道來：
「那人非常蠻橫無理，粗俗而霸道。他甚至質問過我：
Hope來過了？！
你收了她多少錢？
我回答：我什麼都沒拿！校長您是因從來沒與她打過照面，所以可能不甚了解! 她這個人是十分有原則的，怎會隨便亂給錢?! 她是來幫助學生的，不是來揮霍那些善心人士所給她的、或她自掏腰包而擁有的善款的！」
Hearing his words, I started my
explanation.
“Indeed I thought you’re still there when the
guests I have brought here arrived. That was why I felt so comfortable leaving
them with you, due to the fact that, like your lovely wife teaching at this
other school where there are many wonderful projects done, you are both
righteous and decent. You understand we come with no harm. You are aware that,
contrasting with projects helping the needed with massive scopes, what I can do
may be limited. Still, I have been treated with courtesy by all of you,
particularly last year when I was in your school. I said to myself ‘Wow! This
Deputy Headteacher will climb the ladder upward, for he is to the point when it
comes to linking the foreigners with the pupils! I was even telling our mutual
friend at this very family that ‘This man should be supported by you, an
important government official yourself right now, after you have forsaken your
profession as a Headteacher, to be a Headteacher in the days to come. I would
like to endorse him!’”
聽這名與我對談的校長這麼說，我便接了他的話鋒下去：
「我今年真以為您還在那個學校服務，所以對於來客們要到您的學校由您照往常那樣來照應，感到再自然不過，畢竟無論是您，還是您在另一所學校任教的妻子，都正直善良。你們知道我並沒有大額的款項可以運用，純粹是為著善意而來，您也明白我的能力有限，但依然對於和我一同而來的人們乃至於我自己個人，以禮相待。
那時我心裡就想：這位副校長未來一定會晉升，因為他具有國際觀，也熟知應對進退！
我甚至告訴我們共同的朋友：請支持他的邁向校長之途，造福更多莘莘學子。我願意為他背書！」
This principal nods his head, emitting the
message that he is following my story.
校長點頭，表示認同。
「我們先前的互動模式，使我放心地在這次讓客人們獨自去你原先服務的公立學校，然而，沒有人告訴我您已調任他處的消息，我想，這是由於沒有人會料到接下來會發生的事情……
因為從過去到現在，不論是我曾經到過的、或者從來未曾造訪的學校，正常的教職員們總是以正常的規格接待，並沒有出過任何紕漏，但這次所發生的事情卻完完全全出乎我們所有人的意料之外：
這位我從未謀面的校長鼓動客人們為學生買文具，買完文具後象徵性的拍了幾張相片之後，又提議帶他們去看球賽，卻要求他們支付去看球賽的路途，在其開車時所需的汽油費。
來客們表示身上已經沒有當地貨幣了，所以那位校長見他們缺乏當地貨幣，竟提議帶他們去換錢，換完錢之後還當著他們的面抽走一部份，說是可充當汽油費。
據我的初步了解，不論是文具或者汽油的花費，都遠遠超過正常的市價。」
“The foundations we have laid were strong,
which was why I felt so comfortable that the guests coming with me this time
may visit the school which you used to serve by themselves, thinking you would
definitely be around to guide them well. Nevertheless, I did not anticipate you
were promoted, not working in that same school anymore. For such a long time,
whoever have followed me here in your region never had any problems going to
visit any school anyways, even those one I was never there before, so what
happened later became so shocking. I was told by our visitors that they were
encouraged by this current Headteacher to buy stationaries for the kids in the
school. After spending quite some money, they were suggested to visit some ball
games at another place where the Headteacher would bring them to; however, they
should be the one paying for the petro. Upon hearing that they lack the local
currency, they were taken by this Headteacher from this public school to a
money exchange booth for some local currencies, which, upon handing them to our
guests, this Headteacher took some away, claiming it’s for the petrol. All
these two items, stationaries and petrol, as you may have imagined, cost a lot
higher than usual, market prices.”
我說說笑笑地講完了這一段，眼前的校長卻憤怒不已：
「那人從很久以前就聲名狼藉了！」
I am smiling when I describe these things,
seeing that the man facing me become outraged.
“This person is abusive even when I worked
there!”
Wishing to continue, I begin once more. “By
the time they finished watching the ball games, they went back to the place
where the Headteacher parked the car but could not find the car any longer. They
thought they were not able to return back ‘home’ here as the distance could be
too far for them to be on foot. Meanwhile, our dear friend’s wife whom you used
to know as a colleague would have to hurriedly hire a motorbike to locate them,
as she was informed that these guests could not be found. Imagine what she
could have felt when she left this house! Look at her senses of responsibility
as well as that of yours, that of your wife, all these other ones in the field
of education or those receiving foreign guests!” I am still laughing when I
express all these.
我繼續說道：
「等來客們看完球賽，回到校長停車的地方，卻發現車已經不見了。
他們非常擔心自己無法回到在這裡的住所，因為那不是步行就能抵達的距離。
於此同時，我們親愛的朋友的妻子——也是你曾與您同校的同事——在得知客人們失蹤的消息後，便急急忙忙雇了一輛摩托車載著她風塵僕僕前去尋找來客們的蹤跡，當時她非常害怕這些來客會有危險。
你可以想像，當她離開家的時侯，心裡該有多麼焦急！
看看她的責任感，再想想您的責任感，您妻子的責任感，以及其他此間我所合作過的教育界人士、或接待外來賓客的人們的責任感，與那位校長的行止，簡直有著天壤之別呀！」
我這邊談笑風生說著這些話，那邊這位與我談話的、也是過去那名校長轄下的副校長、今日成為校長之尊的人，卻已經氣急敗壞：
「那些來客們是多麼無辜呀!!!
他們不瞭解本地的現況，對於此處的公校制度之知甚微，應該要有行止四平八穩的人給他們妥善的引導!!!
更何況像金錢這樣敏感的物事，就算是有即刻捐輸的必要，也應該事先經過會議的詳細討論，才能開始規畫!!!
這些事情的發生我個人實在感到非常羞愧！
我們的教育界怎麼有這樣一粒老鼠屎壞了一鍋粥的人物?!
這種事情怎麼可以發生呢？！
有這樣的教育同僚，我實在感到汗顏啊!!!」
Meanwhile, the Headteacher who used to be
the Deputy Headteacher at that very school where the guests went to is mad.
Angrily, he voices
“The people with you are innocent. They do
not know about the local market. They do not know about our school systems. They
should be properly guided while you should be informed if there has to be any
donation, which requires plans via meetings! I feel very ashamed! How could
such things take place?! How can such people exist in the field of education?! I
am quite ashamed by this peer!”
“Well, here comes the beauty from the
ugliest: With this incident, I am reminded of the trust I have put into
wonderful individuals like that of you. We have to be so grateful not only to
our kind guests but also to this person who acted devilishly—without this very
person, I would not come up with this idea of finding you. In fact, we should
thank this person, for it is just because of this person who even asked our
guests to purchase some snacks which the guests would see that this Headteacher
was eating the snacks, not for the pupils who’re hungry to eat, like a clown,
but a very nasty clown, I began to ask myself, ‘Where’s THAT Headteacher? I
need to locate HIM. From that little flame, we have this fire now that there are
more to come, more to do, and more to wish for.’ I note.
「您知道嗎，浴火鳳凰就是這樣來的，所謂出汙泥而不染靠的就是這樣的對比，因為沒有這樣的一位行止奇特的校長，對比不出像您這樣及其他許許多多我曾經、我正在合作過的， 貴國的教育界人士。
我從來都如此信任您們這批如此傑出的人才，只是，沒有透過這些像今年這樣充滿善心的來客，我也可能對於一些細微之事，毫無覺察之力。
我們也要感謝那個表現得像撒旦一樣的人，如若不是那名校長，今日我們不會面對面針對一些計畫交換意見……
正是因為那名校長甚至讓我們的客人去買零食，說法是要給小朋友，但來客們卻看到那位校長自己在吃那些零食，並沒有留給那些真正饑餓的學生……就種種猶如跳樑小丑般的行止，令我開始問自己：
「原來的那個副校長在哪兒？我必須找到他。」
星星之火可以遼原，從過去到今天，不論是來客或者在地人士，您們所有人在我眼中的善行義舉，都顯示著有更多的事情要發生，有更多的事情要去做，也有更多的願景值得期待。」
我如此說道。
He nods in agreement. “Exactly.” After
thinking for some time, he again says “Exactly!”
This current Headteacher states that
“We are very grateful that people are with
kindheartedness, especially when the outsiders arrive, they would like to do
something good for those needed here, and we respect that very much. The amount
of money wasted could have served many pupils, exactly like what you have done
for the pupils in my wife’s school. That is what we want to do, like what you
have done previously in other places of our nation, to really benefit those who
are very desperate.”
這位校長點頭表示同意：「正是如此！」他說。
想了一會兒，他又重複了一遍：「正是如此！」
他說道：
「我們非常感激那些懷著良善之心而來的人，尤其是與您來到此間的外籍朋友們，他們總想為有需要的人做點好事。
對此，我們深表敬意。
可惜了這次那些被浪費的錢，本可以真正幫助許許多多學生，就像您們在我妻子所在的學校，前前後後這些年來為不同的學生們所做的一樣。
這才是我們想要做的事，我們應該真正加惠那些在經濟條件上極度困苦之人，一如您在其他種種我國的其他處所已經做到的那樣。」
At this very moment, our joint friend comes
and sits down after he finishes meeting some other people. He’s promptly
briefed about what we have been discussing. When he is still trying to take in
what is happening here, I keep weave the story with a larger scope.
“Headteacher,” I look at our visitor and I
begin to talk to the two of them, “this friend of ours who has strings after
strings of guests visiting him used to think that his career was without
possibilities, just like you right now, when he was transferred to that very
remote school situated at the other side of the mountain. When I told him I
would have to retreat, at the moment of seeing his school, he fell into another
form of despair that was harsh. We have to appreciate his transfer to that
school which used to be so tiny and shabby because I was not scared by the way
your school is when, after locating where you are, I see how it is like.”
就在這時，我和此名校長共同的朋友與其他人群的會面也宣告結束，他與我們一同坐了下來，也得知我們正在討論的內容。當他還在慢慢消化這些的同時，我則繼續把故事有別一般的景緻慢慢闊大。
「校長」，我看著我們的這位朋友以及這位校長，又開口說道：
「我們這位客人川流不息的朋友，當年也覺得自己的職涯沒有出路，就像您眼下的感受一樣。
那時，他被調到山頭另一邊那所非常偏遠的學校。當我在看到那所學校的瞬間，驚恐萬分不知是否未來應當繼續上山時，他陷入了一種新的、更加沉重的絕望。
我們此刻必須感激他當時被調到那所又小又破的學校，正是因為如此，當我找到你、看到你現在的學校時，我並沒有被嚇倒。
而當時我與我們共同的朋友的合作，某種程度上造就了今天的他，一個可以捨棄校長職位、而位居政界要津的人，因為他的知名度被我們的合作所打響，但我卻不希望別人把焦點放在我的身上；今天的您，也是一樣，因為明天，我們就會看到更多人知道您的努力，到時候，我希望您們還是一樣，讓我持續做個隱形人。」
With both of them nodding now, this
Headteacher voices “My school is really very pathetic. You should go and see”
to his friend when I say,
“Of course he’s urged to take a look at
your school and he did go there when he was running some other issues with the
locals. There and then, as I was told by him the same day, in his mind
something was operating. ‘This is such a terrible school where even there’re no
proper floors or roofs.’ That is why on that very day, he promised me ‘I will
go there again with some powerful people and the media. We have to report this
case. Everybody should know about it.’”
兩人都點頭後，這位校長對我們這位共同的朋友說：
「我的學校真的非常糟糕，你應該親眼目睹一下。」
我便接過話鋒後說道：
「當然，我早已跟他說過要去看看你的學校啦，而且他確實在處理您們本地的事務時，曾經順道去過，他回來後就告訴我說：
這所公立學校實在糟得嚇人，教室裡面學童們還必須坐在爛爛的課桌椅之下，腳踏的還是泥土!
天花板也是鐵皮所製，令人驚駭不已。
也正因為如此，他當天跟我說完之後，我們討論了一陣，他就承諾：
我會再帶一些有影響力的人和媒體去那裡，我們必須披露這件事情！」
Straight away, our friend proclaims,
“That will be realized very soon. It is
only that at this very moment, the pupils are having a brake. Before he
retires, this Headteacher of ours will produce sufficient amount of classrooms
and pupils!”
馬上這位我和校長共通的朋友就說：
「這些事情很快就可以實踐，只是目前學生們尚在假期中。未來，我們這位校長將在退休之前，為學校建立起應有的教室數量、也讓學校在招生上出現亮眼的成績!!!」
未完待續……
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