A year ago today, my brother Calvin and I went to meet my brother Tyler at Nairobi’s airport. After a week staying just outside of Nairobi, we went to Kisii, Kenya, the village where both of my Kenyan brothers are from.
Simon and Samuel were two AIDS orphans living in that village. They could point with a swallowing stoicism to where they had buried their parents– father beneath nepi grass they grew to sell as feed for cows, and mother beneath a struggling pea garden.
A year ago they were were not in school and barely scraping by. In the dice throw of life, they had come up with snake eyes, while others, like my brother Tyler and I, through no merit of our own, had been born into a situation where the question, “What will I eat today?” had always an answer.
We built Simon and Samuel a house and promised that if they worked hard to stay in school, we would support their education. What I remember was most striking about Simon and Samuel was how their dreams soared far above their poverty–Simon wants to be a doctor and Samuel a pilot. Dreams like this can seem silly, until they come true. My brother Calvin was in a similar situation just eleven years ago. Now he has finished medical school and is working on his clinicals, about to be a full-fledged doctor. He’s carrying to Simon and Samuel a few Christmas gifts from us–beef jerky, candles, pens, paper, and a few books. What’s most important is he is carrying our support in the form of his presence and letters from Tyler and I.
What is most important in an education of a child is not so much the books and lessons, papers and pencils or desks, but encouragement and love fueled support. It is important for children, especially those who have lost their parents, to know that they have someone to be proud of them.
Remember when you were a kid getting good grades, how eager you were to show your parents your report card so you could feel that wistful twist of pride turning your stomach in gleeful knots?
There are some kids in this smaller-by-the-day world who do not have a single adult person in their lives to be proud of them. Because of this, I strongly encourage not just donations to worthwhile causes, but sponsorship programs that allow a correspondence between student and sponsor.
I’m eager to hear from Calvin first hand how Samuel and Simon are after a year in their new house and back in school. I won’t be making it to Kenya this year as other countries are calling, but I hope to be able to visit them next year. For now, I can vicariously speak to them via a letter delivered by Calvin, who I am glad is there to find out first-hand how they are and encourage them as we enter another year of school and life.
Dear Simon and Samuel,
Greetings from me and my family here in the United States.
I was sorry that I was not able to come with my brother Calvin to Kenya this time. I hope to be able to come sometime next year.
Today marks one year since we have met you. Please pass my best wishes to your grandparents and uncles.
I want you to know, Simon and Samuel, that you are both in my thoughts often. I hope you are doing well and working hard in your studies. How hard you work at learning things now, will decide what sort of life you have in the future. Take every opportunity to learn everything you can. I do not just mean in school. Ever person you meet has something they can teach you. The older you grow you will find that you too have this power. You can teach others around you and help people whenever you see the chance.
As your mother once told you both, if you keep on the straight path and work hard, there is no limit to what you can do. Every day that we have breath is a blessing. It is important to always give thanks and gratitude for all that we have.
I have told your story to my family and friends here in the United States. Your hard work to get a good education is inspiring to many people.
Calvin, Tyler, my family and I are all very proud of you. Even when we are far away, our hearts and thoughts are with you. You may always send us a message through Roger Motika.
Love and blessings in this New Year,
-Luke Armstrong
