“How are you?”

 

 

 

I didn’t see myself in front of class teaching fourth grade students English and Mathematics, but I am really glad I did.

 

For five years I had studied to become a nurse in order to help people in need. When my program offered me the chance to travel and carry out volunteer work for school credits I knew I wanted to travel to Africa. From a young age I wanted to go to a country in Africa, and through this project I was able to help people there with the knowledge I acquired as a nursing student. However, I didn’t see myself in front of class teaching fourth grade students English and Mathematics, but I am really glad I did.

Presently I work at a rehabilitation centre for seniors, which wasn’t what I had envisioned when I started my nursing studies. Although I love what I do now I am so grateful to the Bella Rehabilitation Centre that I had the opportunity to work and connect with local young children and students. I was even able to teach grades 6,7 and 8 First Aid so that they would be able to treat minor injuries themselves, allowing me to share utilize my healthcare knowledge and passion.

While teaching at the school I’ve gotten to know a lot about the children, their lives and the challenges they face. Most of Bella’s students face many obstacles; their parents really often struggle to get enough food on the table and because of that students don’t always attend class, especially the girls. Bella Rehabilitation Centre creates the opportunity for many more children to become full-time students because of their reduced tuition, often subsidized by local and foreign donors. I really appreciate all the efforts the founder, Bilha Azenga, put into getting this school up and running.

I grew an attachment for all my students; however, I completely fell in love with one girl, Little Ann. In the first weeks I taught Ann was timid girl who secretly tried to figure out who I was. Willing to walk closer each and every day. Trying to communicate even though she couldn’t speak English. As the weeks past, Ann knew a couple of English words and I knew just enough Kiswahili so we could speak a couple of sentences to each other. Basically: “how are you” and “where are you going?” Every recess I tried to see Ann and I even was a little bit sad whenever Ann couldn’t make it to school.

When I found out about the sponsorship I quickly decided I wanted to sponsor Ann.  Ann has two older brothers making her school fees the least pragmatic to provide. Potentially causing her academic future to be jeopardized.

While I was still in Kenya I sponsored two semesters of  Ann’s education so she would be able to get a new school uniform, bag and supplies. Going home I immediately began to miss her but through the school I was able to keep track of how she was doing. For me it felt really good to be able to help her, the girl who started out as a shy girl watching from a distance ended up being the best connection while being there.

Being back in the Netherlands I missed my time in Kenya but I felt like I never really left by sponsoring Ann.

Monique Smit