Florine Skolastika Barboza
2nd Bach (1984-1985)
My school life…
I lived about 2 miles from my school. Those days we did not have buses or any other means of transportation to school. We couldn’t even afford a bicycle. We walked to school. My family survived off of only jasmine cultivation. We had to wakeup early, pluck jasmine, have rice kanji for breakfast and run to school. I mean, run because we had only half hour to get to school!
I carried lunch box consisting rice and fish curry or veg curry. That was entire day’s meal. Our schools did not have toilets. It was tough for us, girls. When we return from school we used to be very hungry. Long walk back home with upslopes used be hard with empty stomach. We used to eat wild blue berries on the way. After returning we had to do house chores like sweeping and moping, stone grinding for gravy. I had very little time to study and do homework that too under kerosine oil lamps.
I had god given photographic memory. I could rememberer mostly what was taught in school. With all these struggles, scoring good marks was proud moment. That smile on my mom’s face when she used to see me first in the school was priceless. My only regret is that, my teachers expected me to get a state rank (top 10). I lost it for few marks. But I got scholarship for further studies because of top 100 (mine was 79) rank in state.
I had a very good group of friends. It was because of them, I used to look forward to waking up and going to school everyday. I fondly remember the fun we used to have before and after school, lunch time and while playing sports outside. Academics were easy to me. I never had to study hard or waste time going for tuitions. We couldn’t have afforded tuition anyways.
When I look back at life, I am proud of my school and what I accomplished. My early days struggles helped me to be the person I am today. Disciplined, committed and hungry for success. Even though my children didn’t grow up like me, I tell them my story proudly. Whenever I visit my hometown, they see me wake up and first go pluck jasmine, walk the trail I used to take to school. I proudly show my high school and talk about my friends, teachers and my achievements.
Now live in Seattle, Washington state of USA. I used to work for Chase bank in their IT department. After having kids and facing health issues, I decided to be a home maker. I have two sons who are in college.
