“I first met him when he was thirteen years old. He lives in...

“I first met him when he was thirteen years old.  He lives in one of the most remote regions of Brunei.  You can only get there by river.  There’s no running water, no electricity, no utilities.  Certainly no special education facilities.  He came alone to our city looking for assistance.  When I first met him, his trousers were completely torn.  He was so small for his age.  I’m a special education teacher, so I said to myself: ‘I’m going to help this boy.’  He lived with me for four years.  It was the only way he could get training.  I coached him on the Special Olympics soccer team.  I tried to give him structure.  I told him: take a bath every day, go to sleep early, always go to school.  The advice had to be continuous because he forgets very easily.  But I did everything for him.  He became like my son.  But he never called me ‘father.’  Always ‘teacher.’  And I never forced him to stay.  He’d leave home for a few nights at a time, but he’d always come back.  I was really hoping he’d live with me until he got a job.  It’s dangerous for him to be on his own because he needs guidance.  His family has many bad habits.  But last October he turned eighteen, and he chose to go home.  He reaches out to me sometimes when his family runs out of food.  Or when he needs money.  He knows that I can never say ‘no.’  At first it was very difficult.  I worried nonstop.  I’d always ask his friends: ‘Where is Azril now?’  But I have to accept I’ve done all I can.  He has become an adult.  When we return from the games, I think it’s time for me to let go.”            
(Special Olympics World Games, Abu Dhabi, UAE)