Part 1 junior infants 2015-2016
Abdullah started to digest the language better, word by word English started to feel familiar. Abdullah had not gone to his homeland in a while he missed his brother often at times.
This time it wasn't as bad as preschool his teacher was a kind patient man. He also loved to learn. He was a curious child reading and writing he struggled with, but he loved asking questions and learning about how things work.
He felt bad for how hard his mother worked so he told her he would make a robot that would do all her work for her just like the cartoons he saw. His mother was supportive and said he could do it.
Abdullah was very sensitive to sound he hated break time the loudness toys crashing kids yelling it was all overstimulating for him, but he got used to going to school not needing his mother as much as before.
Part 2 senior infants first half 2016-2017
It wasn't much different for Abdullah but in senior infants you had to interact with classmates a lot more, but social skills were something he lacked. Six years of age and not a single friend he made yet it made him sad sometimes, but he never showed it. For a child who didn't talk to others it wasn't a surprise.
He would get on with his day quietly doing what the teacher said breaks were hard though when they were inside, he sat quietly at his desk and when they were outside, he sat on a wall watching the other kids play run and shout.
He wanted to join in. He really did but he didn't think they'd want him as a friend he didn't think he would fit in, so he stayed on the sidelines wishing to be included but he never was, and he never tried.
Going to the homeland 2016-2017
Abdullah was getting to see his homeland again and they were going to bring his brother back after a long journey. He stepped off the plane breathing in the warm air then he saw his grandpa.
He ran into his grandfather's arms the warmth of the homeland hitting him like a heatwave and his brother, he could barely recognise him.
He was a lot taller, his complexion darker. now he seemed so distant. He didn't talk to him much, didn't seem happy to see him, and acted like he wasn't even his brother.
It stung it felt wrong, but Abdullah tried to man up and deal with it.
His grandparents were as loving as ever. his uncle's took Abdullah out for fun and every night he would try and spend as much time as he could with his grandmother, she held him close in her arms and he felt safe. Abdullah's grandmother loved him more than words could describe.
His grandmother was the type to do anything and everything for her grandkids if she was able to shed give them the whole world Abdullah loved his grandmother more than anyone even his own mother and he proudly admit it to anyone.
He told his grandmother one day shed come live with them and show her around in Ireland thinking of all the fun things they'd do together
Over the months he enjoyed his stay even though his brother's coldness hurt he put up with it. He thought to himself "at least when school starts, I'll have him by my side".
Senior infants part 2 2016-2017
School with his brother around was interesting, his brother didn't understand any English, so Abdullah was his little translator. for once he was helping his brother, giving him a sense of pride.
Everyone saw Ali as the new kid he grew up outdoors and was sporty and strong he picked up English quick and he made friends even quicker.
Abdullah wasn't athletic or sporty he wasn't loud he didn't know how to join in, but he didn't envy his brother he admired him. At home they would argue over little things what to watch etc. at night when they were supposed to be asleep, they'd talk and play little games to pass the time.
Eventually at school his brother played soccer with all the sporty boys Abdullah knew he wasn't good and knew he didn't belong he didn't want to inconvenience his brother by intruding so even though his brother was in the same building he felt alone again.
One day Abdullah saw a group of boys challenging each other to a race. Abdullah was slow, out of breath fast and his asthma didn't help but despite it all he challenged the boy to a race.
He lost badly but for the first time he felt included he had fun. He kept challenging him again and again despite his legs aching and his lungs on fire.
the other boys didn't understand why? Even though he always lost. With a smile on his face Abdullah persisted.
Eventually Abdullah made his first friend the fastest kid in class Dominik.
By the end of senior infants Abdullah had someone to talk to. Someone to race he still hated inside time but at least outside he wasn't alone anymore. This year there was a lot of.
Big changes…