School 2016

2016 – A New School Year

Because of the presidential elections on 18 February, the school year began later than usual.  Ordinarily, classes would begin the first week of February; this time they will not start until 22 February or later.  Many boarders had to report on the weekend prior to that.

Mary and her youngest sister

This year we are supporting a young woman who touched our hearts.  Mary was in her third year of secondary school (S3) when her father died.  She had three younger siblings: a brother in P6 (6th grade), a sister in P3 and another sister less than a year old.  Her mother worked very hard to keep the three in school, while continuing to care for the baby.  In this culture, the mother simply carries the baby on her back while she works at whatever she can do to raise money.  It might be farming or running a little store or running errands for others.  A few shillings earned here and there can feed a family if they are frugal.

However, towards the end of that year, this mother also died.  An auntie cared for the baby during the remainder of that school year; this allowed the older three to complete that year in school.  As the eldest, Mary then dropped out of school in order to be “mother” to the younger ones.  For the next four years she made porridge at home during the day, and sold it in the evenings and on weekends in order to care for the other three children.  Besides providing enough for all of them to eat, Mary was able to send her brother to a trade school to learn some carpentry skills, and her sister to another place to learn tailoring.  She is working to set enough aside to buy the tools her brother needs or the sewing machine for her sister.  She simply could not seem to put enough aside for her own education.

Mary is now 24 years of age.  Her youngest sister will begin P1 this year.  Someone pointed her in our direction for some financial help for her own education.  This young lady has a plan!  She found a school near her home that will train her to become a nursery school teacher, which appeals to her.  The course lasts two years, but she only attends classes on weekends.  That leaves her free to continue making porridge and selling it for food money.  The two older siblings will watch the youngest on weekends, and sell porridge during the week.  Mary’s plan is to use our funds to attend classes this first year. After one year she will be able to get a job assisting a nursery school teacher; that money will allow her to pay her own way for the second year of classes.  Little by little she will continue to extend her education and qualifications, raising her standard of living.  What a beautiful example she is!

From what we can tell, their parents must have provided a warm and caring environment while they were alive.  Mary seems to have a wonderful relationship with her young siblings.   There is respect and cooperation.  They are aware of the sacrifices Mary has made, and a willingness to work together.  

Please pray with us for the future of each of these children!