I cried throughout the movie. is for adults. There are flashbacks throughout the movie of war violence. Though it’s hard to watch, it’s a reminder that any fight for what’s right comes at a great price. We must never take freedom for granted.

The story begins with Mr. Maruge, 84, hearing on the radio that Kenya now offers free education for all. He shows up at the elementary school insisting on being included as a first grader. The parents and the school administrator do not want an adult in the classroom. The teacher tries to accommodate by making him her assistant so he can stay in the room and learn while she tutors him after school.

Both Mr. Maruge and the teacher are threatened by people with harm. The school administrator transfers the teacher and tries to introduce a new one, but the children riot and close the door. They scare the new teacher.

Mr. Maruge travels to the city and interrupts a meeting with officials. He takes off his shirt and recounts the torture he received in the war camps defending the country from him. His wife and his son had been murdered. He pleads with them to bring Teacher Jane back.

Teacher Jane returns to the delight of the school children. Mr. Maruge asks him to read a letter that she received from her since she still can’t read well enough. She is shocked when she sees it and asks the other teacher to read it to her. The letter is from the Office of the President, notifying him that he is being compensated for his years as a prisoner of war. He indicates his inmate number, the names of the camps and the dates. He acknowledges the countless treatments he suffered.

In the United States, they give us free education. Our children do not understand that there are countries where other children do not have what they have. Although not everything is ideal in all schools, we have more than some.

Some children in other countries learn under a tree in the land without a building. Their teachers do the best they can with what they are given. If they can learn to read, they can take that knowledge home and share it with their elders.

As the future grandmother of a Sudanese boy, I hope to find a way to leave something behind that his mother and other parents can tell the next generation.