Esther's Story. Part II

We first met Esther at the opening week of one of our new schools in the village of Kingi. All of the students were in their bright new uniforms, sitting in rows on wooden desks in new Justice Rising classrooms. But Esther was a part of a small group of kids, standing on the other side of the classroom learning from the outside. She had two young babes in tow, her younger brother and baby sister that she was the primary caretaker for during the day.

When we asked her age she said she was 9. It was hard to believe as Esther looked more like she was 4 years old. She was malnourished and often sick.

Two years have passed since we first met her. Our local team has visited her home often, met with her mother, dreamed and schemed and had tried everything they could to get her into school but nothing ever worked. This year however, this year when we first pulled up to the school and Esther ran up to us in a clean, fresh uniform.

Now, we would love to say that after two years and us offering everything we could think of to get her into school, eventually Esther’s mom decided to enroll her in class. But it’s not that easy. Instead, tragically, Esther’s youngest sister fell ill. The sister that she wore on her back whenever we were around, the sister that she, at nine, was the primary day caregiver for, was malnourished and lacked proper health care facilities in her community. We learned just weeks before we arrived, she had passed before her mom was able to get her to clinic.

As the school year drew near, Esther was no longer needed in the home and she begged her mom to enroll her this term. Her mom agreed and pooled her money together to buy her a brand new uniform and enroll her in grade 1.

At 11 years old, through tragedy, loss and an immense amount of courage, Esther proudly told us she had started school.

She already knew all the songs, all the dances and actions for the classroom activities she had learned from peaking in the window but this time she would be participating in them from inside of the classroom.

Life is never simple and cut and dry. It’s complex and often leaves us with a lot of questions. Through it all, our incredible team amazed us with the way they engaged Esther’s family. Their compassion and persistence to reach out of school children in the community astounds us. And to Esther’s mom, who dreamed for the best for her kids and who after much pain, worked hard to get Esther enrolled and ready for first grade. We are in amazement of her strength.

It’s takes a village. Also, Thank you to every Peace Partner and Justice Rising community member who stands with us to reach children like Esther who live in war torn communities. It’s because of your partnership that we can provide low cost or free education for girls like Esther to study and for that we are grateful!