Big Day For Chely
This blog is dedicated to Chely Rayshielda Morgan. Today, Tuesday, 27 May 2008, Chely will graduate from Jakarta International School. To those in the world may say “so what, millions of kids graduate high school each year?” I say phooie on you. Chely’s life has not been easy. Growing up in Indonesia is not easy unless you are part of the priviledged class – and Chely was not for the first 15 years of her life.
When I met Chely 7 years ago, she was a very timid little girl that spoke zero English and had rarely been out side of her subdivision (Ciputat) near Jakarta. In Ciputat she was raised by her grandmother while her mother worked hard to provide for her family. She rarely saw of her father, who had all but disappeared when she was a baby. Most young girls under these circumstances would have been pregnant by age 16.
Even though Chely struggled at school (even in her native tongue) there was something unique about Chely. Inside her she had a level of character and discipline that kept her on the straight and narrow. Over the next few years, (since 2001), Chely learned English … became my step-daughter, began to travel a bit. In 2004, she lived with my sister Norma and her husband Tony and son Andrew in Florida for 5 months … then joined me, her mom, and her sister Thasya in Angola.
Angola was tough on Chely as the school wasn’t really ready for kids her age (there wasn’t yet a 12 year program). The school didn’t challenge her in the right way and several times she stumbled in her classes. Nevertheless, Chely moved forward. In 2006 we moved back to Indonesia and Chely was admitted into the premier school in Indonesia. Their standards are high at JIS with many kids fighting for top slots so that they can get into the best US schools.
At times we wondered if Chely would stick it out at JIS – but she did. And now – on her graduation day – we tip our hats to Chely and say “job well done”.
But lest we bask too long in glory and praise – truth is – Chely’s life is really just beginning. On Sunday, 8 June, Chely goes to the US to begin first a 10 week intensive English course in Connecticut … and then to Tennessee (Lee University) to begin college. Chely will be faced with many challenges – and no doubt there will be mistakes. BUT, we all need to give honor to Chely; keep her in our prayers; and lift her up daily. for you see – Chely is the first in her family to ever go to college in the US. She is a fighter, a trailblazer, and a winner !!!! While things won’t be easy for her, I am confident she will do the best that she can – which is all we can ask of her.
Not bad for a young lady perhaps 5′ 1″ (don’t know for sure) that currently weighs less than 100 pounds. Congratulations Chely on your graduation day. I am so very proud of you. Love Dad.
ciao ciao
