A Hand to Hold

By Christy Tonge

One of our favorite parts of each day was the walk to Achungo and back. Early on, when we were still only slowly making friends at Achungo, children who lived along the roadside reached out to us and befriended us with exuberance. Each day on the path as we approached, we would see a throng of little friends running out to wave and greet us. 
  The sound I will miss most when we leave Kenya --besides the joyful singing-- is the happy shout we heard without fail on our daily walk:
“Mzungu, Mzungu, How awwwww youuuuu?”

Some would holler and wave from a distance, their big grins and their enthusiasm lighting up our spirits. Others became our precious companions who would just walk up to us without a word, take our hand, and walk the path with us in sweet silence like a longtime trusted friend.  

Each time I saw these kids, it was such a tug on my heart. For one, because they were so beautiful and precious. And there was an extra tug when I saw older kids, because I realized that it was a school day, and they weren’t in school.

 

Unlike in America where every child can attend school for free, here, only those families who can afford the uniform and materials fee can send their child to school. The families of these children whom we would see on our walk were likely too poor to send them to school.

 

 
Many times, we would see kids during the school day peering through the fence of Achungo, longing to come in and take part.

In the US, it’s probably the #1 complaint most kids have – that “uggh…they have to go to school.” It sure put things in perspective to see what a dream come true it would be for children here to be able to go to school.

It made me appreciate Achungo that much more.
Since Achungo offers school for free (with uniforms and materials and meals), over 300 orphans and children whose family can’t afford school are getting an education, in an environment of love and hope. How I want to give the same gift to each of these children outside the gate as well.

I will be returning home a passionate advocate for how one person can so significantly change the life of a child. Sponsoring a child’s school fees, for what to us is a minimal amount, will transform the future entirely for that child, and for their family, and for their  children, and so on.

I will cherish those walks along the dirt path, hand in hand with our precious little companions--forever.

 

 

 

 

When I look back on my life and think of the most beautiful moments I have been privileged to have…those walks hand in hand with our treasured little friends will be among the most vivid.