repema kwamboka moraa
Repema is a soft-spoken, shy, five-year-old little girl who lives with her grandmother in a small house, high on a hill, in the remote village of Sakwa, in Nyamira District, Kenya. Margaret Bosibori Omosa is the only person left for little Repema to call “mum.”
On August 22, 2003, a healthy baby girl was born to Mackline Moraa.
On August 22, 2003, a healthy baby girl was born to Mackline Moraa.
This young mother hoped that her child would not have to face hardships in life like she had endured, but it was not to be so. Mackline’s greatest fear was that her only child be left a total orphan, for Mackline had been kicked out of her matrimonial home due to the stigma associated with being diagnosed HIV positive. For two years Mackline was the only family Repema had until she died; a mere skeleton, from the ravages of AIDS. Repema was left in the care of her grandmother, Margaret, since her father and his family had not been heard of since Mackline was sent away from their home. Now Margaret joined the ever-increasing group of grandparents, who in their aging years, have become care-providers for the children of their sons and daughters after they have fallen victims to the pandemic known as AIDS.
For the last three years, Margaret has been the sole provider for not only Repema, but three of her own children as well as another grandchild.
A typical day for Repema starts around 6:00 AM as she wakes all by herself when daylight comes. She is bathed and dressed by her grandmother and then sent off to walk the two kilometers to Hope Educational Centre, where she is in the pre unit class. On most days she leaves for school without breakfast, as there is often no food in the household to be had. Repema spends the whole day at school where she learns, plays and is content to receive a ripe banana or some other small portion of food given to her by the school staff. After the return walk home of two kilometers, Repema does her homework and household chores. Her favorite chores are sweeping the house, walking the two kilometers to fetch water from the community water source and gathering firewood for the evening meal.
For the last three years, Margaret has been the sole provider for not only Repema, but three of her own children as well as another grandchild.
A typical day for Repema starts around 6:00 AM as she wakes all by herself when daylight comes. She is bathed and dressed by her grandmother and then sent off to walk the two kilometers to Hope Educational Centre, where she is in the pre unit class. On most days she leaves for school without breakfast, as there is often no food in the household to be had. Repema spends the whole day at school where she learns, plays and is content to receive a ripe banana or some other small portion of food given to her by the school staff. After the return walk home of two kilometers, Repema does her homework and household chores. Her favorite chores are sweeping the house, walking the two kilometers to fetch water from the community water source and gathering firewood for the evening meal.
If Repema should fall sick, her grandmother has to take her to the nearest government clinic in Nyamusi, which is a five kilometer walk each way from their home. If the paramedics at Nyamusi feel she needs further treatment, she must go to the nearest hospital, Nyamira District Hospital. This hospital is 50 kilometers away, so a matatu (a van that provides public transportation) must be taken, but only after Repema’s grandmother can obtain the needed fare for the travel as well as the cost to see the doctor and medicine. Health and health care is only one concern of this grandmother.
Her other concerns are the distance for the family to get fresh water for their needs and would like a storage system for harvesting rainwater from her roof; a livelihood of possibly selling foodstuffs so she is able to provide a more balanced diet for her family; and assistance with school fees, school uniform, books and supplies, as well as casual clothes and shoes for Repema.
I visited this family home during my stay in Sakwa this past July. I have the highest respect for Margaret, who has taken in not one, but two grandchildren and is doing her best to provide for her family. I also came to know and love little Repema as I saw her in the school and community. I always sought her out to hold her hand, tickle her or try to get her to talk to me through my limited Swahili or in English.
I care about all the children at Hope Educational Centre, but I will admit, little Repema has a special place in my heart. (As I write this, I have tears of emotion falling from my eyes.) I’m not sharing this so you will feel pity for Repema or her grandmother, because they are not sad people. They are living life the best way they can. My purpose in sharing this is so you will know what life is like for someone living half a world away from us, in situations extremely different from us.
I know that our God cares and provides for Repema and her family. If He has touched you through reading this, please join me in helping them and others like them. As Paul in Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” Could this be one of the good works God has planned for you? Contact me at www.hopeafricamin@yahoo.com for ways you can help.
Mungu akubariki/God bless,
Roberta Peterson
Mungu akubariki/God bless,
Roberta Peterson
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HOPE AFRICA MINISTRIES INC.
Providing help and hope through missions and ministry
