MDG #2: Achieving universal primary education
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| Boys Working
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| In Kibera
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Two stories from Kibera, Nairobi
Victor's mother and father quarreled because the father was not providing
money for medical treatment when the children were sick. The result was
disastrous, for Victor's father walked out and disappeared, leaving his
mother to cope as best she could with the 5 children. She got a job as a
cleaner - heavy work of scrubbing and mopping all day - for which she was
paid 200 Kenyan shillings (about $2.50 USD) each day she worked. Now,
charcoal enough to cook a meal costs 20 /=, 3 jerry cans of water for
cooking and washing 15 /=, maize and beans for the family meal 70 /=. The
mother is left with less than 100 /= to pay for everything else - paraffin
for the lamp, exercise books and pens for the children, school fees,
clothing, medicine and rent. She knew there was no use complaining; so many
women were in the same position.
The children were saddened by the disappearance of their father. Victor's
face showed it and his teachers noticed, for he had been a cheerful boy.
They spoke to the head teacher and one day a social worker came to visit the
family. A little later Victor was called to the office. The head teacher
said, "Victor, you are a well behaved boy and a good student. We know your
mother is having a very hard time trying to keep you in school, so we have
found you a sponsor." Victor's face lit up. At least that burden was taken
off his mother. He ran home that night to break the good news to his family
and rejoiced to see the relief and joy on his mother's face.
Nicodemus's father had two wives, the elder one with only one child, the
younger one with five children, one of them Nicodemus. The father left it
to his wives to care for and educate their children. The first wife
managed. She had only one to worry about and she was able to support
herself by selling sukuma wiki (greens) in the market. The younger wife had
a much harder time, with 5 growing children to support. The family often
went hungry if the mother could not find a cleaning job to earn 200 /=.
Nicodemus, in secondary school, often missed school because of the needs of
the younger children when his mother was working.
One day, as school bursar, I received a visit from the first wife. The lady
explained that she was Nicodemus's step-mother and she came to help her
co-wife with the boy's school fees. I learned that she also brought food to
her co-wife whenever she was able, aware that the children were hungry and
in need of everything. This woman of kindness and compassion touched me so
much. Out of her little store she gave more than she had to spare.
Nicodemus now has a sponsor, but the step-mother is still helping her
co-wife with food and unforeseen emergencies.
Small steps? Yes, but...steps!
Lucy Toror rscj
Province of Uganda-Kenya
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