I have officially spent 5 weeks at
Good Shepherd Kindergarten located on the campus of Kamwenge Secondary and
Vocational School. (KSVS). There are so
many challenges going on at the school like dust in the unfinished classrooms,
a drought, and parents who either don’t have time to help their child succeed
or choose not to. Even with these
challenges the students are smiling, they are eager to learn, they are serious
when it comes to their schoolwork.
Joanita and Phionah are two sisters
in the P3 class. These two girls wake up
early every morning to fetch water for their family of 8 people, to clean their
compound, to prepare breakfast, and get ready and make it to school by
8:00AM. Their father won’t let them talk
to their older sister or biological mother. Everyday they came to school with the biggest
smiles on their faces eager and ready to learn.
Fabious is another student in P3,
his father died when he was young his mom is renting a home but has no
job. He aspires to be a doctor when he
grows up and is a very good student. He
loves to play football (soccer) and is always smiling.
Marvellous is another student in Top class. She is one of four children. The
dad is at KSVS in A-Level. He is paying school fees for himself and his
children. Her younger brother Obvious
has been in and out of the hospital with health issues. She is a good student
and aspires to be a doctor.
These are just a few stories of the
150 students in the Good Shepherd Kindergarten.
There are about 20 students who are either single parent orphans or
double parent orphans. The one thing I noticed the most during my 5 weeks at
this school is these kids need the support and assurance that they can go
beyond the village life. Most of these
families end up in a vicious cycle of staying in the village lifestyle and
never really venture outside. One thing
I know for sure though that it is the same philosophy for those in the inner
cities in the states. It takes just one person in the family to break the
cycle. If we could unite and just help
one person of each family succeed and go beyond what their environment suggest
than I know this school, this village, this country would prosper.
There is evidence of this being
done already. One of the former students of KSVS, studying in the woodshop
vocation now owns his own shop just a few minutes down the road from the
school. He is now building doors and furniture and making a living and
difference in the community. I know that
if we continue to support this school the stories will just increase beyond
comprehension.
God is not done with this city;
despite all the challenges there is joy, faith, hope and the greatest
love. We only have one choice to make:
are we in or are we out.
Be sure to check out Partner's in Mission website and facebook page!
Website: http://www.pim-africa.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PartnersInMission
