A Message from Madame Gabriel, Elementary School Teacher in Macary

I want to share with you how I treated my students badly in the past. I was always in a bad mood when I taught, and I’d sometimes bring my frustrations from home into my class. My students were victims of psychological pressure, unkind words, and most of all punishment by being hit with a switch.

But after the training in nonviolent classroom management I received through Beyond Borders’ Schools Alive program [in partnership with Save the Children and Limyè Lavi], I found a new, cooperative, and interactive way to work with students without any corporal punishment—without any psychological or physical violence. This training has enabled me to do my vocation with love for my work and with professionalism. Now the students who once were my enemies are my friends. Now I prepare for my class differently. The students are now interested, active participants—not just passive recipients.

This has made such a difference throughout our classrooms in the community of Macary.

Thank you! Thank you!

Madame Gabriel with some of the students she now calls “friends.”