Dear Devon and Steven,
I would like to share a little story with you... Not too long ago I was sitting on the sand floor of my hut, escaping the heat under my thatched roof, with my friend Taweychena. She was going through a few books I had strung up in a tin case on the wall and came across a travel book with a person on the cover. A woman who looked very much like her was on the cover of a "Lonely Planet- Africa". She said "ifo no wohne? (what is this?), I said "afrik tira" (An African Book). Her eyes starred at the picture and she started singing a song with "Africa" in it, actually making up a song about how I was going to travel to Africa... as she rocked her small child on her back. When she was bored of the song and the photo she looked at me and asked me if I had ever been to Africa. I responded, "Before now?" ...she looked perplexed, and at that moment I realized that this 21 year old mother with 2 small children had no idea that she lived in Africa.
That was 5 years ago, and now Taweychena is in adult literacy classes, and the young girl that she rocked on her back, is now entering the first grade. By the end of this school year she will be able to read, write, do simple math and will know that she lives in Africa. Moreover, that child will always remember her entire elementary school experience as a student in the Hope Through Education - Devon Esrick Education Center. On behalf of the people of Kabey Fo, we can't thank you enough.
Best Regards,
Virginia Emmons
Educate Tomorrow
