Day 27

(Before reading this entry, it should be known that I have permission to write about David. Enjoy)

David is my best friend. He is so wonderful and yet so sick.

I finally broke down and asked the awkward question that’s been bothering me since day one; I asked head teacher Mary why David was at Hope, in PP3, if he is 12 years old and is much brighter than the level he’s being taught.

Here is David’s story:

David lives with his mother and six year old brother, Peter, who is also in PP3 (yes, David said this made him very sad at times). According to Mary his family is more “well off” than most of the other families whose children attend Hope. 

David also has a condition that prevents him from moving on to a primary school. At the end of each year, the children of Hope take their exams in hopes of moving on to the next level which is primary school. At the end of each year, David takes his exams and exceeds the average. At the end of each year, the primary schools he applies to sees his scores but David is turned away.

The reason for this? A colostomy. David has an stoma complete with a bag he has to wear every day. The schools deem this as a health issue to the other children and so David is denied entrance to primary school.

So far, David has had two surgeries to try to get him to the point where he won’t need the bag. So far, the success of the surgeries last for a few days but eventually fail. However, the length of the success increased with each surgery. 

Now, David is about to go in for his third surgery (He had his consultation today). At this point everyone is praying for the success of this surgery to be permanent. His mother only wants the best for him and even for a wealthy family keep in mind that his family is in the slums of Limuru and three surgeries cost a lot. So much that the boys didn’t show up at school because the tuition was due and their mother couldn’t pay the total of 24 dollars for the year.

I know everyone has very busy lives and already has a ton on their to-do lists but I’m asking if you will take a single minute of your time, even the smallest prayer for David and his mother can work miracles. His mother hasn’t asked for financial support in any form. She came to me to ask for prayers and love. Every prayer gives them the strength to continue to hope and to continue to try.

So while you’re in your car or standing in line for coffee or studying, take a moment to think about David and his brother and mother and support them in the strongest way--prayer.