- Like the one over there, that's my name! The kind of tree we use to make our tooth brushes.
17 year old Asekon has just finished her second high school year at "Our Lady's Girls' School" in Kakuma, some 85 kms from Loki. She appeared at our gate almost a year ago after having been refused admittance because of outstanding school and boarding fees. We had some few means on our support account and could help her make up the difference.
Orphan - We moved to Loki in 1997 and in the year 2000 my mom died following the birth of my youngest brother William, she tells me. - Some three years later we had to bury our father too, who died of..., I believe it was malaria.
- My younger sister and our two younger brothers went to live with a relative in Kakauma while I stayed on in Loki with my grandmother. I wanted to finish primary school here at S't Johns. However after some few years my grandmother also went to live in Kakauma and since then I've been hosted at a relative's house here in Loki. But as for school fees and support they don't have any means. In fact their own daughter, my age-mate had to drop out of school because of lack of money.
- Does your family have any goats (Turkana-money in the bank), I wonder. - Grandma tells me they all died some years ago in a severe drought, Asekon answers.
- And what about your future and dreams? What would you like to do when and if you finish high school?
- I would like to train to become a nurse, she says without hesitation. - I really would like to help people because I can see that there is so much suffering around. But before that I wish I could change to a better school. There are teachers who shirk from school, sometimes for weeks on end and we just don't get to finish the curriculum...!
- And what does your headmaster say about that? I ask. - I really don't know, Asekon replies with a deep sigh...!
Asekon in an Asekon - We make it around our compound to the tooth brush tree. Asekon climbs the tree with great agility and tosses me some young branches. Then she readies the "akitoys" (tooth brushes).
- This is how you do it, just chew a little on the end and then you can start brushing! I much prefer using the akitoy, she says, but at school they make us use regular tooth brushes. I do as she tells me and try out my very first akitoy. It feels OK, yea it's feels quite nice in fact....
- Here we are! Asekon's age mate cousin ushers us inside. The small room is filled with simple rustic furniture covered with croché-cloths. An old bicycle is leaning against one of the cracked mud walls. - How many people sleep here? I wonder. - We're around 6 or so, she says, but most of us sleep outside on the ground. - And what about rain? - Well, we cuddle up inside or some will try to find shelter at one of the neighbors nearby!
And then...? - Asekon's life's journey is indeed touching but not at all unique here. Many young girls never make it through primary school and few are those who get at chance to finish high school or proceed to college. And in most cases it's about money....!
- I wish you could come with me to Kakuma one day to visit my grandma, Asekon says before we're about to part at the Jerusalem gate. - She is very old, at least a hundred years! she utters with a smile on her lips. But Asekon's eyes also disclose another question. What will become of me? Will I be able to continue my studies? Is there anyone out there who would be prepared to sponsor me....?
On Christmas day we intend to spend time in the village with Francis and his friends, enjoying a roasted goat and then in the mild African night show the film which has, for more than 30 years, been telling people the very reason behind Christmas; the screen adaption of the Gospel of Luke. The "Jesus-film" was produced back in 1979 and has up to date been dubbed into more than 1000 language, one of them being Turkana. A film with an old message about "unto us a Saviour is born". A message which continues to touch and transform people all around the world.
Here we're reminded almost daily about the need of a Saviour! The western myth about "The Power of One" is all but an empty slogan. We're desperately in need of one another, both locally and globally and most of all do we need a Saviour, the one who also said that "I've come that you may have life abundantly"!
Those of you who have taken time to read some of our bloggs have had a little bit of insight into what has transpired. And we could have told you so much more.
But we just want to give praise and honor to God and thanks to everyone who has made it possible for us to work here in Loki and to be touched by all these wonderful people and to learn some few things about their circumstances. .
Finally we would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year's season and we hope to be able to stay in touch with you even next year!
With much love / KeA & Birgitta
