FROM HOPELESS TO HOPEFUL

by Dorette Ligons-Ham, Philadelphia public school administrator--Kenya

Jambo! Habari gani? Mzuri sana. The Swahili greeting became our daily theme song led by Brenda, the only female local artist. It was also accompanied by a morning workout to music. The children looked forward to it and actively engaged in every motion. All the students had a story to tell but Lawrence’s story rings out the loudest.

Lawrence, a 14-year-old male, has experienced many difficulties in his young life.
After his father died when he was only five, he and his family became homeless. It wasn’t very long before Lawrence became involved with the wrong crowd and by the time he reached 10 he was living on his own, on the streets. For several years he smoked cigarettes and weed, sniffed glue and got into all sorts of trouble. He was lost and not one family member tried to rescue him. One day, the men at the Inspiration Center took an interest in Lawrence and invited him to various activities. He is now living in a home with family and is singing gospel music. He was so excited when he heard people were coming from America to share messages of hope through the arts.

He is inspired by all that took place this week and encouraged to work hard in school and not give up. He believes that he can rise to pursue his dream of becoming a music producer, artist and teacher. He is praying for a sponsor to help pay his school fees so he can finish his secondary education. He wants to open a music school for orphans and street kids, because he understands what they are going through. He will also become an important person in the community and help poor people and the friends he has made at the Inspiration Center.

Brenda is also a “victim of hope” and related so well to the children in drama class, especially Lawrence. After her parents divorced when she was about 13, she found herself with six siblings on the street for over two years. She managed to survive, sleeping on tires and finding enough food to feed herself and all of her siblings. Her youngest sister passed on because she could not take the harsh living conditions, but Brenda kept going, pleading with relatives to help. Finally an uncle took them all in. Today, Brenda is a social worker, married with two children. She was able to attend college after missing all of secondary school. Her brother plays football around the world and her sisters are all attending school regularly. They have all reunited with their mother. Brenda is a genuine example of what many poor children have been exposed to here in Nairobi and a role model for the children who live in Methare Valley. She was motivated this week to continue working with the students and find sponsors.

The poem, “Still I Rise” is forever alive in all participants.