I Will Always Write Back

Martin decides to take the SAT II as he knows he did not perform so well on the SAT. He feels more confident about his progress on the SAT II and hopes that it will help him get into college in the US. As he has some time before he hears back from colleges in April, he decides to look for a teaching job through the Ministry of Education. There is an opening for a science teacher in Chigodora, which is a remote and rural town far from Mutare. Martin decides to take the position and writes to Caitlin’s family to let them know that he will be away in the next months without regular internet access. He also sends Caitlin’s mother a list of things he needs for his visa to the US. In the closing of his letter, he tells Caitlin’s family that he feels his results from the SAT II are promising and that he thinks he “made it this time” (330).

Rachel Zeigler Mano responds to Caitlin the day after she writes to her. Rachel says that she will reach out to several contacts but cautions not anticipating too much of a response as “[t]he economic troubles of [Zimbabwe] are dismal” (331). Caitlin’s mother writes to Mr. Muzawazi as well in the hopes that the Delta Corporation that sponsored Martin’s education at Marist Brothers would extend their generosity to his education abroad. However, Mr. Muzawazi remarks that the economic circumstances in Zimbabwe are “very difficult” (332). The Delta Corporation will unlikely sponsor such an expensive education abroad.

Devastated by the news, Caitlin loses her temper at Damon one day when he tells her to stop studying for her college courses and to have fun with him. She tells him that she is preoccupied with worry over Martin’s status, which prompts Damon to tell her, “I’m so sick of your pen pal” (332). Caitlin tells him off, stating that her schoolwork is more important than going bowling with him.

When Martin arrives in Chigodora to teach, he is surprised to find it to be even more rural and impoverished than he expected. When he meets Frank, another teacher who is several years older than him, he is given a tour of the village and his residence. He is astonished that Chisamba Singles is more well-off, by comparison. He thinks of his mother, who grew up in a similarly rural place and what she endured to arrive in Mutare. This inspires him to teach.

When Martin meets his students, he is moved by the stories of their poverty and family struggles. Many of them have come a long way to attend class. He tells them of his journey from Mutare to the Marist Brothers school. He identifies a promising student named Givemore who stays after class to copy notes from textbooks. Givemore reminds Martin of himself; Martin knows that Givemore cannot achieve more without outside support.

When Martin and Frank check on their bank accounts, they realize that teaching is not sustainable. They have not been paid and have trouble making ends meet. Meanwhile, Martin begins to hear back from several universities, each one offering only partial scholarships, which will not be enough. However, he is still hopeful.

Eventually, Martin makes the difficult decision to leave Chigodora. When his departure is announced, the students are quiet, as many teachers have come and go. Givemore stays behind during the last class to thank Martin “[f]or coming” and “for giving [him] hope” (338).