She was only 17..

"She" is one of my students...

I watched the news last night and let it all soak in but also minded my own business.
Until someone from school phoned when I was already lying in bed. The first thought that crossed my mind "if someone is calling at this hour something bad has happened".

And it was.

One of my students was in Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down in Ukrain yesterday afternoon. She was on her way to her vacation address in Kuala Lumpur. Along with her mother, stepdad and stepbrother.

It is impossible to describe what I felt when I hear the news and what I am feeling today.  It feels like a deep deep hole in my hear.

This morning we took care of her classmates and took care of ourselves, the teachers. We mourned for her loss. Most of us cried, most of us hugged, both teachers and students.

And the news got even worse.

The best friend of the principal was also on that plane.

As was a friend of the daughter of a colleague.

And the training buddy of a colleague.

And the brother of a friend of one of our laboratory assistents.

It was devastating to hear this.


I mourn deeply for all of the people who were on that plane, and feel terribly sorry for all of the family members and friends left behind.

So sorry.