A Boy of “I Don’t Know”

What driven you to study hard?
I don’t know.

Why do you think that the teachers care for you?
I don’t know

What is the reason that you agreed to shoot this testimonial video?
I don’t know.

This boy who gave “I don’t know” as answer to all three questions is the main character for today!
Year 2022, this boy just entered into transition class of secondary school. He has a habit of replying “I don’t know” to any question posed to him, such a cute boy! If you want to get any answer from him, you have to be patient enough to engage conversation with him and guide him to think.

In those early days of joining Gereja Ern Tian Batu Pahat Companionship Class, he was just standard 4. Being in a new environment and had to mingle with strangers, made him so afraid of being bullied until he refused to attend Companionship Class, hence the teachers had to purposefully fetched him to class. Then came MCO, his time in Companionship Class became on and off, however he turned out to enjoy Companionship Class so much that he insisted to attend Companionship Class even feeling uncomfortable after his COVID vaccination. However, one thing doesn’t change from the beginning until he graduated from primary school is his introvert quiet character, he doesn’t play with other children, he just quietly took his meals, washed his dishes, did his homework and revision.         

Although he is well behaved, but he didn’t put enough effort in his studies. When he was standard 6, he always failed in his spelling test in addition to not able to recite multiplication table, the teachers felt so frustrated.  One day, the teachers decided not to tolerate anymore, she spoke to the boy: “You are now standard 6, how can you still not familiar with the multiplication table, what are you thinking? You always said that you pray about it, but you didn’t put your effort into it after you prayed. God can only bless you when you work hard after you prayed.” This conversation seems to open up his mind, he suddenly realized that if he still doesn’t put in his effort, then he’ll be left behind when he enters his secondary school.

Ever since, this boy who had been triggered to learn seems to transform into another person, he began to study hard. Within a week, he managed to recite multiplication table, and began to take his spelling seriously. Although, enter into secondary school all by himself was a new challenge to him, he had to go to a new school, with unfamiliar teachers, students and language environment. Again, he was afraid of being bullied, but this time he wished to change! Because this time he knew that he could learn, and he is no longer alone, because he has Companionship Class’s teachers to teach and guide him in his studies.  For example, when he encountered difficulties setting up his online class facilities, he took the initiative to request assistance from Companionship Class’s teachers, and his online class went on smoothly. 

Miraculous First Encounter

For this year, we wished to make a video of life story on this boy, the first thing came to my mind was “Will this super introvert quite boy agrees to let us shoot a life story video of him? Will him get so nervous in front of the camera until he can’t utter a word?” With these questions in mind, we embarked.  It was our first encounter with this boy.  During the conversation, the phrase “I don’t know” kept appearing, but that didn’t mean that he doesn’t know, he just need to be guided in his thinking, it could also be that he is not good in expressing his thought.

Nevertheless, he is not a reckless person, if he wanted to accomplish something, even when he couldn’t express himself with words, he would act it out, he takes his tasks seriously.  During our video shooting, because he was very nervous, so he would repeatedly practice his dialogues, facial expressions, and he cooperated willingly when we need to retake the scene. During the shooting, we could see his subtle smile. The boy was presented with a badminton racket for the shooting of this video. This was preplanned before the shooting.  As we did ask the boy what was his wish, he said he wanted a badminton racket, so that he can play with his father when his father returns from his outstation job.

Epilogue:

While we were shooting our video, Teacher Li Ling (Companionship Class’s Teacher) kept telling us that: “This boy’s school grades have improved tremendously, he is so well behaved, he would study on his own, he does the house chores, take cares of himself, occasionally he would teach his sister in doing her homework…” She was so relieved, comforted and proud as though is her son that is doing well. We hereby wish that this boy will continue to grow healthily, and may he comes to know what kind of person that he wishes to be!