Naserian Goes to School!

Saturday I made the trip to Longido to meet Joseph and four excited kids to be placed in boarding school.  Longido is a small town just before the Kenyan boarder.  I say small town but to many in the bush areas around Longido is the BIG town!  All in perspective!  In effort to assist Naserian with her poor living condition, being so far behind in school, and remaining a bit of her culture the boarding school in Longido seemed like the best choice this year.  You may remember my earlier post about the widow who was willing to take her in but that proved to be a point of contention with Naserian's grandmother.  Which is very understandable but the grandmother is unable to see.  This situation is a difficult one but the grandmother was supportive of Naserian receiving a better education.  If you remember January begins our new school year.  I met Jospeh in Longido with his son, two nieces, and Naserian.  We arranged for the school uniforms, tuition, and got them situated in their beds.  She was so proud of her bed with her quilt that Barb McGrew (Heather's mom) made.  The process was quite lengthy which was frustrating to me but I have never see Naserian so happy.  Her best friend (Joseph's niece who is also an orphan) will enjoy being together.  This school is alongside a Baptist mission connected with Compassion Ministries.  I hope that this will provide a positive living experience and better education.  

I have so many mixed emotions about this whole system here of education.  But, we do the best that we can.  My definition of education changes a bit now watching life around me here in Tanzania.  It is sad that young children from bush areas who have the opportunity to attend school have to be placed in boarding school away from their village.  To attend school they leave their home and it might not even be all that good.  They become somewhat educated and yet their are no jobs.  They return to their villages but no longer fit.  Naserian who has no parents I believe this is the best scenario for her.  My love is for people to be empowered with the small things like knowing and being able to write their own name.  But, if the Masai young girl is empowered with the knowledge of clean water and knows how to provide for her family is that not valid education.  I wrestle with these things! We are to empower people who God has created very unique and special.  It is not my job to make them fit into a uniform and call them educated.  It is my job to love and empower people to become more like Christ!

Prayer Points~

• Pray for Naserian's year of school and her transition to a new school.  She will probably be behind but I pray that she catches on fast.  I pray a host of friends for her to be surrounded by and a new sense of joy in life.   
• Pray as I continue to wrestle with the education system here and ways to continue to empower!
• Pray for the Pre-primary schools in the bush that began this week.  They have been encouraged to begin with brand new basics and lessons.  I pray the teachers find joy in the start of this new year!