The First Grader (The Movie)

My brother added this movie to our Netflix queue and I happened to find few moments of solitude yesterday to start watching it. Let me tell you, this movie will change your life (and I haven’t even finished watching yet!).

It is based on a true story of an 83 year old Kenyan man, who attends school with first graders to learn to read and write. He is called Maruge, fought against the British colonials to free Kenya and eventually ended up in a detention camp where he suffered inhumane (and I mean, shut-your-eyes-and-ears-and cringe worthy) treatment only to survive and become an even stronger, resilient and determined individual. 

In the beginning of the Movie, the Kenya gov’t announces free education for all Kenyans and parents flock to tattered schools, fighting with the gatekeepers to secure a spot for their child. Maruge comes back day after day, hoping to be given a chance to learn. Jane, the head teacher, likes his determination and takes a chance to help him. 

For those of us living in first world countries, it is easy to take education for granted. It’s hard for us to imagine a world without written words. Try to imagine a world where you can’t read. It’s hard to do. It is so ingrained in us and because we never had to struggle to go to school, it’s easy for us to take it for granted. 

As beaten up as our education system is, at least elementary education is considered a right rather than a privilege. And that, my friends, makes all the difference in the world.