Little Hunger, Big Hunger

Tererai Trent is one of the most compelling speakers that I have ever heard. Amy Schlussel and I were privileged to hear her speak at the recent National Association of Independent Schools conference. We saw, first-hand, why Oprah Winfrey designated her as "my favorite guest ever."

Tererai riveted us with her personal story. Tererai Trent was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Because she was a girl, Tererai was not allowed to go to school; it was understood in her community that only boys received an education. Determined to learn, Tererai began to read her brother’s books and to do his homework.  Her father accepted a bride price of a cow and married her off at age 14. She had three children by age 18.  

In 1991 Jo Luck, from Heifer International, visited her village and asked all the young women about their greatest dreams. The other women, Tererai said, had “little hungers in their bellies”; they dreamed of immediate needs for themselves and their children.  Tererai sat silently until Jo looked at her and asked her about her dreams. She wanted an education! She told Jo that she wanted to go to America and get a bachelor's degree, a master's, and eventually a PhD. She told our audience that unlike the other girls who had “little hungers,” she had a big hunger—a hunger to live a meaningful life.  Tererai wrote down these dreams, put the paper in a scrap of tin, and buried it. She believed, and said over and over again, “It is achievable!”

Heifer International ultimately helped her to realize her dreams. It took her ten years to receive her GED and then almost another ten years to earn her advanced degrees, earning a PhD from Western Michigan in 2009. Every time she achieved one of her goals, she returned to Zimbabwe, unearthed the tin can and checked off that accomplishment. “It is achievable!”

Oprah Winfrey read about her story and invited her on her show. With Oprah's help, she has started a series of schools back in her village and other villages. “It is achievable!”

Tererai reminds us all of the strength of the human spirit and in the possibilities of education and how it can open doors for all children. She also reminds us of which dreams are ultimately worth pursuing; dreams filled with one's meaning and purpose in life. And from her we learn, “It is achievable!”

One cannot help to be humbled and moved when confronted by such an inspiring human story.  I could not help reflecting on her comparison between “little hunger” and “big hunger.” I loved that metaphor, and believe it is relevant to all of our lives.

It has left me wondering: In our entitled world, have we managed to lose sight of our “big hungers” because we consume ourselves with our “little hungers,” hungers that ultimately do not bring real meaning and purpose into our lives? 

Given time to reflect, what are your little hungers and your big hungers? As parents, what are our big hungers for our children? Can we move the little hungers out of the way so that our children can realize their big hungers? Because, as Herzl said, “If you will it, it is no dream.”  And as Tererai said, “It is achievable!”