I really miss the teens in our day school. They range in age from 14 to 20-ish, with 12 girls and 6 boys. I love each and every one of them, and I've tried not to become attached. They have come over to the clinic in small groups each day for check-ups and lab tests. Several requested HIV tests, which were all negative I hope and pray. I suspect that their recent science unit on Sex Education prompted some anxiety and led to the testing requests. Apparently, they were required to test negative for HIV before admission to the school, but their tenure here varies.
Laney, who has taken my place in the girls Vocational Arts class from 2 to 4 pm each day, told me that Violet, one of the oldest and one of the long-time students here, chose to leave the school. I was sad for myself, as I was impressed with her tender heart and love for God when last we talked. She is leaving on good terms with Brandon, the Education Director, who says she is just ready to try to find a job now.
The sad thing for these girls is that we only offer the middle school curriculum for now. It will be 5 more years before they can actually graduate with a senior secondary school certificate. I often ponder why they keep coming here, when the tangible rewards seem so distant, but I'm afraid I know the answer. I'm told by several of the FT missionaries that girls in this culture have a pretty raw deal. They face horrendous circumstances outside these walls. Rosemary Jensen, founder of Rafiki, told us at training that these day-students have begged for school to be extended at least through Saturday. Apparently, the breakfast and lunch they receive here five days a week might be most of their meals. In addition to the meals, they are shown much love, respect, hope, and safety from the Rafiki teachers, missionaries, and staff, in contrast to the world outside.
I am deeply touched by the tale of "Faith House", a home for 14 girls, including three of our JSS girls, that exists about a block away, in Mwiki neighborhood right outside these walls. The founder of Faith House is a thirty-something young single woman named Gretchen, who spent two tours here at Rafiki for 9-10 months each. When she returned the last time, she had raised support to start a home for teenage girls, as a "safe haven". I don't know Gretchen yet, but I can't wait to meet her. I have met two more of her "girls"--Ann and Julie, who both graduated from our JSS program and went on to graduate from Senior Secondary School (high school). They could not have done this without an anonymous sponsor. They are both precious, sweet, and very bright girls that have worked alongside us in the clinic this time and many times before. Ann aspires to go to college to become a tour guide while Julie plans to become a doctor. I am growing so attached to them and their beautiful smiles and hearts.
The dark side of the story of Faith House concerns the history of the name. It turns out that it was named after "Faith", one of the original older girls at the day school here a few years ago. Apparently, she was adored by all, students and adults alike. Sadly, she died while on school vacation 2-week break. Rumors abound about the nature of her death--from suicide to murder for refusing sexual favors. Dr. Pope, who knew her well, doesn't believe either of those, but believes that we will never know the truth about what caused her death. Ouch, my heart hurts. I want to shelter and protect the girls we have left. They will probably admit a new student on the waiting place now that Violet has dropped out. I hope that Violet fares well.
Laney, who has taken my place in the girls Vocational Arts class from 2 to 4 pm each day, told me that Violet, one of the oldest and one of the long-time students here, chose to leave the school. I was sad for myself, as I was impressed with her tender heart and love for God when last we talked. She is leaving on good terms with Brandon, the Education Director, who says she is just ready to try to find a job now.
The sad thing for these girls is that we only offer the middle school curriculum for now. It will be 5 more years before they can actually graduate with a senior secondary school certificate. I often ponder why they keep coming here, when the tangible rewards seem so distant, but I'm afraid I know the answer. I'm told by several of the FT missionaries that girls in this culture have a pretty raw deal. They face horrendous circumstances outside these walls. Rosemary Jensen, founder of Rafiki, told us at training that these day-students have begged for school to be extended at least through Saturday. Apparently, the breakfast and lunch they receive here five days a week might be most of their meals. In addition to the meals, they are shown much love, respect, hope, and safety from the Rafiki teachers, missionaries, and staff, in contrast to the world outside.
I am deeply touched by the tale of "Faith House", a home for 14 girls, including three of our JSS girls, that exists about a block away, in Mwiki neighborhood right outside these walls. The founder of Faith House is a thirty-something young single woman named Gretchen, who spent two tours here at Rafiki for 9-10 months each. When she returned the last time, she had raised support to start a home for teenage girls, as a "safe haven". I don't know Gretchen yet, but I can't wait to meet her. I have met two more of her "girls"--Ann and Julie, who both graduated from our JSS program and went on to graduate from Senior Secondary School (high school). They could not have done this without an anonymous sponsor. They are both precious, sweet, and very bright girls that have worked alongside us in the clinic this time and many times before. Ann aspires to go to college to become a tour guide while Julie plans to become a doctor. I am growing so attached to them and their beautiful smiles and hearts.
The dark side of the story of Faith House concerns the history of the name. It turns out that it was named after "Faith", one of the original older girls at the day school here a few years ago. Apparently, she was adored by all, students and adults alike. Sadly, she died while on school vacation 2-week break. Rumors abound about the nature of her death--from suicide to murder for refusing sexual favors. Dr. Pope, who knew her well, doesn't believe either of those, but believes that we will never know the truth about what caused her death. Ouch, my heart hurts. I want to shelter and protect the girls we have left. They will probably admit a new student on the waiting place now that Violet has dropped out. I hope that Violet fares well.
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