One hot afternoon, the science teacher came to class and asked us to pair up for a project.
“I don’t have a partner.” I raised my hand.
The class laughed at how desperate I sounded.
“Who is absent today?” asked the teacher.
Three people were not in. Amour, the new student was also missing yet it was her second week in school. Amour only speaks when spoken to. I love her sunshine smile. People say she has an angelic voice because it is soft and gentle. At least she is the same height as me and now I am not the shortest girl in class.
The teacher asked me to brainstorm on the task and when the rest came to school, I would get my partner. I really wanted Amour to work with me because she was new. I was convinced that she would give me fresh new ideas from where she came from. Our task was: Think of ways we can conserve the environment at community level and make a 10 minutes presentation.
In the evening, I went to the staffroom to see my class teacher. Madam Olena was surprised to see me. I have never gone to seek audience with her.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Mmh…” as if she did not believe me, “How are you, Madge?”
“I am doing fine but I have a favor to ask of you?”
Madam Olena’s face lit up at the mention of the word favor. She moved closer as if I had a secret to whisper. I requested her to get me Amour’s contact and that my parents would make the call for me. She was hesitant.
“Please madam, I am concerned about her absence today and I want her to feel at home here in PV Academy.”
“That is so kind of you Madge.” She replied.
I was very excited. She got her phone and sent a short text with the contact to my parents.
At home.
“Good evening, my name is Ivonne. I am a mother to Madge and she goes to school with Amour at Pleasant Valley Academy.”
At this point, I was waiting patiently for my mother to pass the phone to me so that I could speak to Amour.
“Hello Amour, your absence got me worried.”
She replied, “I was not feeling well but I will be in tomorrow.”
“That is good to hear. I want to work with you on the science project we were given today. I will give you details tomorrow.”
“Good. On Friday I am travelling to Rwanda. Would you like to come?” Amour asked.
That question broke my ears. I went silent. I was on loud speaker and turned to look at my parent’s facial expressions.
Amour continued, “You can ask your parents and they can talk to my parents now.”
My parents nodded. And I gave Amour a cheerful YES. I could hear her jump up and down in excitement too.
We passed the phones to our parents. They talked and laughed as if they had been friends for ages. Mum hang by dad’s side and nodded at every statement put across.
In my head I thought, “So my parents are willing to pay for me to travel to Rwanda but they cannot buy for me a bicycle.” Indeed, wonders shall never cease.
When dad hang up, he said, “I know Amour’s parents from the initial class meeting and they are good people. I will allow you to go with them to Rwanda for the weekend, three days.”
Tears beamed in my eyes, “Thank you.”
Mother said, “Daughter, Rwanda is visa free for Kenyans. Go and explore a new environment, culture and people.”
My parents told me that they would pay for my flights and sign a consent form with a lawyer that I would be under the custody of Amour’s parents.
That night, I thought of my visit to the Genocide memorial park. From google search, I realised that Rwanda has Kigali car-free days and the largest investment fund in Africa called Green Fund that aids in financing all environmental conservation initiatives. The visit to Rwanda would surely make our project presentation realistic.
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Immaculate Ajiambo Nafwa is a global teacher of English and Literature, a children’s literature writer, translator, storyteller and service learning advocate. She is passionate about technology, and education, and promotes the reading culture among young people through different initiatives.
Read – Princess keza – A Children’s Literature by Moses Tololo – Zambia
