John
In the back of the first grade classroom Kuunika Lutheran School sits a tall boy attentively copying the words written on the chalkboard. His name is John, and he is 14 years old. This is his first year attending a school.
Before this school year, John lived in a village outside of Lusaka with his grandparents and 2 brothers. His mother had left the village to work in Lusaka as a housemaid. John has a friend from the village who attends a boarding school in Lusaka. John’s friend told him that he should learn to read, and he should find a school to go to in Lusaka. When his friend returned to boarding school in Lusaka, John went along, and then set out to look for a school. John came to Kuunika Lutheran School and enrolled by himself.
When John is not in school, he does piece work to support himself and pay for those things he needs and wants, such as his school uniform. Some of the piece work he does is drawing and carrying water, slashing grass with a machete, cleaning up construction sites or helping road maintenance crews by moving drums. John said he fears that if he did not go to school, he would become a thief and be a part of the “notorious boys.”
When John sees planes fly overhead, he dreams of becoming a pilot someday. But for now he enjoys learning, especially English and playing with friends at school. In school, he shows great patience and perseverance in learning to read and write. It is appropriate that his favorite Bible story is Noah and the Flood. We pray John will see his hard work will give him success. Already, he has the promises of God’s Word.
Olipah
Four years ago, Olipah’s mother died of AIDS. At first she lived with her grandma, but now she lives with her aunt. Regularly her aunt would give Olipah medicine for headache, even though, sometimes Olipah would tell her aunt she did not have a headache today.
Olipah is in 7th grade at Kuunika Lutheran School. She came to Kuunika about a year ago.
It wasn’t until she attended an after-school program for protecting and educating girls about sexual abuse that she learned that her “headache” medicine was for HIV positive patients.
Today at age 15, she lives with the knowledge that she is HIV positive, and that if she were to have children they would probably become HIV positive as well.
Despite her health, she dreams to be a lawyer to support justice. Her relative was falsely accused of a crime and sent to jail. At school, she enjoys history and math. Also her favorite Bible story is Joseph being sold by his brothers. Olipah explained, “When I have challenges and feel that God has neglected me, it is all part of God’s plan. The challenges are to help me reach my destiny.”