Asset to the English language

by Umangi de Mel

Her childhood wasn't a bed of roses. Born on May 31, 1928 she and the two sisters were brought up by the grandparents while her mother who was a young widow had to cut corners to make ends meet.

Having played many a role such as the student, care taker, teacher, nurturer, a risk taker and the responsible one, Daphne Lord could hardly ever look at life through rose tinted glasses as a youth.

Not knowing the love and protection of a father who passed away at an early age, the three girls never knew what it's like to be rich and spoilt like other girls, their age. But little Daphne never longed for things she didn't have, instead she counted her blessings. Being the hero of her own story, she sits pretty at her desk as the principal of Daphne Lord School (DLS).

"My mother was a music teacher and she did quite a bit of sewing as well. We lived with our grandparents in a small room. We've been through a lot of hardships. I'm very grateful to my relations for what I am today. My mother was a wonderful person who later on looked after my children while I was away, teaching.

Our education was free. The Good Shepherd Convent, my alma mater which was just around the corner, treated us very well showing us no difference. In school, the nun in charge got Wendy Whatmore and Yolanda Abeyweera to do speech and drama classes for us who have done a lot for me since then."

Having being well trained under the two maestri in the field, the young Daphne got into teaching English with the help of Mother St. John Eudes in 1949. "Once someone told me that my mother couldn't afford to send me to University which is the very reason that made me start work soon after completing my diploma. At that time we were paid a mere sum of Rs. 5 at Good Shepherd Convent.

58 years into teaching today she seems an asset to the field of English language. "In 1962, I started my own classes at my place. Initially I had a few classes in the garden.

Gradually, the school grew. There's an increasing need for English education. I have students coming from outstations. Nevertheless I don't believe in charging my students who are in need, thundering amounts.

So many people call me the third grade school but there's no way I'm going to charge from people who hardly have enough money to eat a full meal. We've got teacher training classes which started four years back. There's a need for good training centres as well.

And it's been a joy teaching the future teachers as I get to learn at the same time. I feel that I've a lot more to learn,"

She refuses to be called a famous teacher saying that 'dedication' has nothing to do with fame.

Her day apparently starts at 9 a.m. at her desk at DLS. There, she guides, instructs and supervises. Since her health conditions don't allow her to climb the stairs to the class rooms, she does all her work at the desk. Encouraging her teachers to start on their own, she's ever so ready to lend a helping hand.

"I was an examiner at the Institute of Western Music and Speech (IWMS) from its inception. I'm also a patent examiner at Colombo Academy of Language skills and Dramatic Art (CALSDA) and I'm on the board of management as well.

I'm like the 'grandma' at CALSDA. They fuss over me."

Books, she claims are her passion. A childhood habit which has been flourished into an addiction, Dahpne's virtually surrounded by a collection of books which she claims to read whenever she finds time.

Very pious at heart, Daphne apparently does a lot of charity work helping the needy at several homes. Being involved in a lot of church work at the same time, she believes that the Lord is always with her irrespective of the fact that she can't go to church at times due to physical difficulties.

"I've been doing the Christmas pageant for the church for years.

I used to write for the parish church as well. Also I've compiled the English Holy Hour for every good Friday, for the past seven years," she says beaming.

"I've six children who are doing really well and religion has kept us together. They don't interfere with my work. I've eleven grandchildren as well. I feel most wonderful being what I am. I just can't see myself doing anything else but teaching. I don't think I ever raised my hand to anybody.

I can't grumble, now that I'm ageing, the work load is a little too much but I've girls to help me. Teachers should have patience and understanding. The biggest reward is when my students come and tell me that I've helped them to be what they are today.

I will teach till the end. I'm so happy and content giving all I have to people in need of knowledge and understanding." Having found that she possesses exactly what she desired in herself, Daphne Lord, though not born in the lap of luxury, has surmounted many a difficulty, and claims to be very satisfied as a teacher and a human being.

[email protected]