Munchen

I write from Munich, the capital of Bavaria, and I don't really have much to say about this city yet, since I've seen so little of it. The price of being on the road, I suppose. I'm staying in tonight because I'm tired of being on the move. My fatigue probably won't leave me until I am home again, I figure that its real source is not having a kitchen and a living room to actually live in. I struggle with the traveler's guilt, i.e. what am I doing in a hotel room while mates are out on the town watching the local football team play in the championship game?! Alas, my soul is tired. My soul wants to care for its future. So here I am. Not out.



That said, I can say something about a particular Munich resident we met. His name is Michael Stenger. He would rather tell stories about the lives of students at his school, but I want to share more about him.



He built the school for refugees in 2000. He was motivated by the desire to better Germany's treatment of refugees. He was mortified that there wasn't a good way to bridge these people, who are over 16, who thus cannot qualify for mandatory education in public schools any more, who then face a larger likelihood to fall into violent or desperate activities. He wanted to do something different, something better, for the refugees and for Germany's future. You can't help but want to be on board with him: he makes a passionate case, he tells great stories about his students' lives -- amazing stories -- and he laughs, a lot. He uses the word "integrate" to describe what they are trying to do for the kids. In fact, many Europeans in this line of work use that word. I kinda like it.

The school is a full fledged school, 140 students, 10-15 in a classroom, they even know how to introduce themselves in English. They take the national exam just like other Germans do. Schlau has very very low dropout rate and high passing rate. But Michael's standard of success goes beyond statistics of this kind, though he realizes their importance. Michael takes pride that his students come back and stay connected with everyone, that they get great jobs and have strong families in Germany.

Being there at the school, having sat in a classroom with ten hardworking, charming, courageous 18-20 year olds, I am so thankful there is a Michael Stenger, a SchlaU schule, a generous and dedicated group of donors, and the staff at the school, because that light in those eyes would not have existed otherwise. That warm light, that positive can-do attitude, the camaraderie -- what could be better?

Well, Munich. I like your dedicated bike lanes and your transport system very much. Yeah, I went to Hofbrauhaus and drank the beer, bounced around from Hitler building this and that, but to me you will always be the city that introduced me to those amazing youngsters who came to you desperate, broken - but not beaten, and came to Michael's school to win us all.