In the big scheme of things, helping 4 youngsters go to school doesn't seem like much. But for Daniel, Stephen, Innocent and Vanessa - the 4 who are going to start school in the next couple of weeks, it is a big deal
For Daniel, 12 years old, he had nearly finished primary school: class 6 completed and just one year to go, but then his dad lost his job, family finances failed, all attempts at finding alternative work were unsuccessful, and his dream of completing primary seemed to be on indefinite hold.
Stephen, age 10, has managed to complete primary classes up to and including class 3, but again the financial situation in his family was such that the hope of going further had faded away
Innocent, also age 10, has been watching his contemporaries going to school for many months now, wishing he could join them, and knowing that his parents also wished that they could earn enough to pay for him to get an education. Luck just never seemed to be on their side when it came to scraping together enough to go further than paying the rent and buying some food, so having some spare to cover the cost of school expenses was out of the question
And for Vanessa, life had been going OK - she had completed class 3, was preparing for class 4, and on a reasonable trajectory until her dad died last month. With no mother to turn to, Vanessa was taken in by extended family, but they didn't have the resources to be able to pay for her education. Feed her yes, house her yes, clothe her yes, but school fees and uniform - no, that was one step too far.
Four youngsters, all with a simple wish - to go to school. Something we all take for granted, and something that is a basic human right. But a right that is beyond the reach of so many.
Thanks to the generosity of various donors, I was able to tell Harriet and Miriam last weekend that there is sufficient funds to cover school fees for 4 more Acholi children. Yesterday I had the joy of going back to Acholi Quarters, and one topic of conversation was finding out which 4 children had been put forwards by the group for being able to go to school.
The smiles on the faces of the 4 told it all - hopeful again, dreaming of a future again, feeling like there is more to life than just survival. What a joy to behold!
Yes, there are still many who can't afford to go to school, and I'd love to find ways to help more of those children get access to education. But for now, its about rejoicing that Daniel, Stephen, Innocent and Vanessa will be walking to school very soon, secure in the knowledge that they can keep on going to school right through to graduation day.
For Daniel, 12 years old, he had nearly finished primary school: class 6 completed and just one year to go, but then his dad lost his job, family finances failed, all attempts at finding alternative work were unsuccessful, and his dream of completing primary seemed to be on indefinite hold.
Stephen, age 10, has managed to complete primary classes up to and including class 3, but again the financial situation in his family was such that the hope of going further had faded away
Innocent, also age 10, has been watching his contemporaries going to school for many months now, wishing he could join them, and knowing that his parents also wished that they could earn enough to pay for him to get an education. Luck just never seemed to be on their side when it came to scraping together enough to go further than paying the rent and buying some food, so having some spare to cover the cost of school expenses was out of the question
And for Vanessa, life had been going OK - she had completed class 3, was preparing for class 4, and on a reasonable trajectory until her dad died last month. With no mother to turn to, Vanessa was taken in by extended family, but they didn't have the resources to be able to pay for her education. Feed her yes, house her yes, clothe her yes, but school fees and uniform - no, that was one step too far.
Four youngsters, all with a simple wish - to go to school. Something we all take for granted, and something that is a basic human right. But a right that is beyond the reach of so many.
Thanks to the generosity of various donors, I was able to tell Harriet and Miriam last weekend that there is sufficient funds to cover school fees for 4 more Acholi children. Yesterday I had the joy of going back to Acholi Quarters, and one topic of conversation was finding out which 4 children had been put forwards by the group for being able to go to school.
The smiles on the faces of the 4 told it all - hopeful again, dreaming of a future again, feeling like there is more to life than just survival. What a joy to behold!
Yes, there are still many who can't afford to go to school, and I'd love to find ways to help more of those children get access to education. But for now, its about rejoicing that Daniel, Stephen, Innocent and Vanessa will be walking to school very soon, secure in the knowledge that they can keep on going to school right through to graduation day.
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