A silent battle with warm smiles

by Natália Lyra (Brazil)

Making a local connection Brazil

“Your understanding depends on which lens are you seeing through at the time”. I instantly remember the words of my former professor as I took my time to let the sunset-orange sunrays kindly cherish my skin. It was warm. The kind of warmth that opens a reticent yet comforting smile on one’s face. My bus continued through the unpaved street back to the city and for the first time I felt like I was really saying goodbye. A farewell to the picturesque colorful houses placed side by side in matching colors, to the small square where people would reunite at night to chat, to the women who sold fruits on little huts by the road side and greeted me with silent smiles every day. And, specially, a goodbye to Fernanda. At first, I used to teach Fe world curiosities – then math, than science, then Portuguese and the list goes on. Her shy outcome and tender eyes seemed to be an often and effective way to disguise the eight year-old enthusiasm and curiosity. In a place where missies grow up to be wifes and mothers, non house related knowledge and proactivity shook the masculine universe bases and, therefore, were subtly disposable. “Nat, how did Abi learn all that?” Fe asked me sincerely, remembering a story I told her about a Singaporian girl who came to Brazil. I felt an imaginary sweat drop on my forehead as I wonder what retaliation could be chosen for someone who ignites bold questions, even if they are as simple as the one Fernanda asked me. I focused on answering in it the best way I could. “You see, even though she had many adversities in her way, she never stopped being curious” I initiated, trying to look as composed and assure as I could. “She wanted to learn more and more each day and she searched for knowledge, regardless of what people would say of her” I completed. Trying to have empowerment through knowledge in a small village on the countryside was an experience that I had only lived for a few weeks, therefore I couldn’t know the magnitude of strength that was required to complete the task. But, somehow, I knew this girl could defy it. And then I finally saw her. She smilled in a warm way. The kind of warmth that filled my soul, as almost thanking me for my discreet fight. Then I changed the dark shaded lens I was seeing through, filled with insecurity and disbelief. Now, they sparkled the same sunset-orange that painted my face: optimism, faith and, most importantly, renewed energy for more silent battles.