This blog entry is written by one of our pupils at St Bernadette Mary School, as you can see Levis encounters hardship on a daily basis
My name is Levis Karisa. I am a standard 8 pupil at St. Bernadette Mary School, I live in Mtepeni.I come from a humble family of eight children where challenges of the day are obvious. To begin with, my father is mentally ill while my mother is suffering from Tuberculosis.
My father’s condition denies him completely an opportunity to play his role as a father. He is not able to provide basic needs like clothes, food and shelter. Sometimes he talks alone and behaves badly. In the earlier days his brothers tried to help him by taking him to the hospital for treatment but their effort fell in vain. Today as I write, his brother have neglected him. Two weeks back, we had taken him to a free clinic at Mzambarauni in Mtwapa but little was achieved. I feel sympathy for him.
On the other hand my mother coughs continuously because of tuberculosis. She has tried to use different medicine from within but her health status is worsening. At home we direct all our prayers to her because we believe that God can heal her, sometime when I see her carry a basket full of mchicha (pig weed) to the market for sale tears roll down my cheeks, but she has to do this to provide the family with food and other basic needs.
At a times I and my brothers go to look for casual work from our rich neighbours so that we can get money to help our mother. We normally dig or weed in the shamba for those people.My brother in form two at Lake School Secondary has dropped out because of lack of school fees. No one knows what to do. He is at home working in shambas for the neighbours. This is an effort to get school fees.
On the other hand my life as a pupil at St. Bernadette Mary School is very different to my life outside the school gates, I enjoy many benefits , I am offered with free education, good learning materials like text books, free school shoes and uniform and a cup of porridge during break time. There are also good games. On every Friday pupils usually go to neighbouring school called Mtepeni Primary for games and sports. Other benefits that I get from this school are free medical care, guiding and counselling done by the teachers. There are good teachers who are very helpful to the children, today I know how to use computer.
I have interest in music, education and sports. Music is good to me because it passes information to people and also it entertains. I like sports so much, I usually play football and would like to continue playing in the future. Games keep me physically fit. Playing makes me avoid bad company.
I am interested in education because it is the key to success, in Kenya without education in Kenya life becomes very difficult. With all these problems, I know that I have to work hard in school so that I can be a better person in future. I am one of the candidates who will do the Kenya National Exam in November this year.
Despite all these challenges I have never forgotten to pray. I know that all these problems will come to an end one time.
God bless me and my family.
God bless you and your family and hope like you your brother can get educated to help you both with a better future keep up the good work and prayers never give up hope xx
Levis Karisa you have written an incredible emotional story. We all feel proud of your educational achievement to date. Your discription of your daily life is one which a muzungu finds hard to understand. I am so sorry you and your family suffer this hardship. We must keep praying for help and guidance. Good luck my dear for your exams. X
Hi Levis, thank you for sharing your story. Your English writing skills are so impressive and will get you far in life. Keep working hard at school and playing sport – all of these efforts will be worth it. Good luck for your exams in November! Stay strong you have people rooting for you all over the world. Sejal Maguire xx
Hi Lewis another heart warming story from a pupil at St Mary and St Bernadette school. Good luck and best wishes for your exams. In the future I know you will be so pleased you had a place at this school. May the Lord bless your family xx
Hi Levis,
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that your education opens doors for you.
Levis, this is such a good piece of English writing! I know how hard the pupils work at St Mary’s & St Bernadette’s school and you are a credit to your teachers and your family. I wish you lots of success in the National Exam. I’m sure you will study hard and achieve highly.
We pray for you and your family, here our children turn up their noses at a hot dinner after been transported to school which they complain about. Please sponsor a child today. I do and when you get their wee cards makes your day. £14 will sponsor a child, keep 50p pocket money from your child thats all it takes. These children will be blessed x
On my personal behalf and that of Levis Karisa & his family.We sincerely thank you all for your encouraging words of inspiration and may God bless you abundantly.
Levis, I was sitting here in Ireland after a bit of a tough day at work, feeling a bit sorry for myself (as men do),but after reading your truly amazing and inspirational story of both courage and determination to succeed in life I have decided my life is easy and my problems are small !!
My wife Lisa is out every night this week as she is the musical director for her school and is in the middle of putting on a show with the kids called “Foot Loose ” The kids she teaches take everything they have for granted, maybe, when they read your story they will realise how truly blessed they are.
Good things always come to good people like you, so keep working hard at school and your prayers and you will be a winner.
From a very humbled Paddy.