I just got home from school; I stil go there twice a week to help out, just do a little role-modeling etc. This afternoon was a bit odd because they had some visitors in from Argentina, so the usual class was rather cut up, but at the end of the session, just as things were winding down, we were back in class. In such moments when I’m not needed I tend to just fiddle about on my Ipad.

Suddenly they turned the lights out and started to sing Happy Birthday, and I noticed a cake being brought out. That is not unusual. I just assumed it was one of the student’s birthdays, but I hadn’t caught whose, so I thought I”d just wait for their name to be sang in the middle of the song.So I did, but to my surprise and astonishment, I heard my name sang and saw the cake come towards me. They must have remembered. In that moment I felt truly humble, grateful, valued and warm. I could have cried. It was on of the most remarkable moments of my life.

In that moment I decided to volunteer more often, and fiddle with my ipad less.