Students' act of kindness restores faith in mankind

All week I have felt the inclination to cry, I don’t know why – perhaps the constant and senseless murders happening in Bermuda and abroad; perhaps the state of the economy; perhaps my own self-pity … but I refused to cry for some obscured reason, so I didn’t.

But the tearjerker for me was on reading Wednesday’s news article in the daily, of the kind actions of the students of the Learning Express Academy, who used their spare time in a most unique way by helping one of Bermuda’s own beloved icons — senior citizen Mrs. Jean Howes, who despite her visual impairment is an asset to Bermuda and has contributed so much to us.

Such a simple thing of walking a dog had never occurred to me, but in this case was such a profound act of charity for an elderly, blind senior citizen.

The piece that touched me and opened up rivers of tears from me, read: “All year long, students from the Learning Express Academy have visited 84-year-old Jean Howes, who is blind, to help her walk her retired guide dog Quana, who is now also blind.”

Mrs. Howes, and Quana recently visited The Learning Express Academy in Pembroke to thank the students for their help during the school year.

“I just wanted to thank the students,” said Mrs. Howes. “They have really helped me. This really is a wonderful school.”

Mrs. Howes is a wonderful woman and never hesitates to thank any and everyone who has assisted her whilst never shying away from helping others herself. 

Mrs. Howes is well known for her work in the community, being an active advocate for and with the Bermuda Society for the Blind. She has also been a poet, a singer and a musician. Every year, I make sure I watch “Jean and Gene’s Christmas Show”. 

It’s the highlight of the season for me (and I don’t even celebrate Christmas) but I never miss an opportunity to savour Mrs. Howes’ talents and her simple and kind humanity — she is such a wonderful lady.

How wonderful a teacher, Mr. Bryce Purcell is for organising the dog walking as a community service project for his students to partake in by having two students each week from the school help to walk Quana.

What an example he must be for his students… Well done, Mr. Purcell and God bless; we need more like you.

The Messenger of Allah said, “While a man was walking on a road. He became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself: ‘This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did.’ So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

Often we think that we are on the right path because we attend church or the mosque on a regular basis or we are constantly praying.

But we read in the Quran: “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives Zakaah; [those who] fulfil their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.” [Quran: 2:177] 

We must put our beliefs into action and do – the old adage says, “actions speak louder than words” indeed the Learning Express Academy under the guidance of Mr. Purcell is on the right path.

My crying over this act of kindness was a refreshing cry, and it helped to cleanse my soul … I felt so much better. 

This act of kindness by these young students re-enforced my faith in mankind. So inspiring were their actions. Yes, things will get better; the future of Bermuda is not so bleak after all. 

Thank you, Learning Express Academy, thank you Mr. Purcell, and of course thanks to Mrs. Howes and Quana for bringing on just what I needed – an inspiring induced soul cleansing cry.  Ameen.