The young girl who had been rescued two years earlier from the possibility of being trafficked was doing very well at school. Maria* carried herself with confidence, and was dressed in a beautiful outfit, her hair groomed and her school books immaculately kept. As always, she greeted me with affection and respect when I came to visit on one of my field trips, bringing sponsorship funds for herself and the other children to her carers. The carers and I were sitting having a cup of tea in the heat of the day, when the conversation turned to this child. They told me that Maria had spoken to them about her previous experiences, and how she was delighted to have been saved the life she had seen other girls on the street being subjected to in order to earn money. Every time they came by, she was studying or preparing to study.
Maria had high hopes of graduation eventually, and then going on for a post graduation qualification. It was amazing to me that such a young girl already had such clear insight and plan for her future at such a young age, and I said so. It transpired that Maria had seen her mother subjected to just such a life in order to provide for them, and then her mother had died, worn out and ill from her sufferings on the street, at a young age. Earning income by street work is a health hazard for any woman unfortunate enough not to have the education or career necessary for earning income to sustain a family by other means. Maria had seen her mother's suffering and increasing illness, and had then come in for care prior to her mother's death. This had been at the encouragement of her mother who had realised what her true situation health-wise was, and wished a better future for her daughter.
Maria spoke to the carers and said simply, 'I never want to have to go back to the street. I saw what it did to my mother, and what people did to my mother. Never do I want to have to live like that. And now I don't have to.' She then stopped for a moment and said proudly, 'I am getting an education.'
I am getting an education. Those words were still ringing in my ears as I sat in the train travelling later. And they have stayed with me ever since. That little girl really understood the importance and value of what she was being given; education is the key to a future where you can make choices, where you do not have to be manipulated or hurt, or risk your health in order to feed your children. Education can give you a roof over your head instead of having to lie with a plastic bag or cardboard box as roof on a street pavement. Education gives you the ability to earn good food, to ensure good health care for you and your family. Education enables you to afford maternity care to provide safe delivery and care for you and your child, and for good clothing, safe transport, and excellent medical and dental care. Dad always told me that 'Education is the key to a better future'.
As I sat on the train, I remembered an incident during my school years. I came home and informed my father that I was leaving school, and wanted to go to work as a part time casual worker. Dad, who I later found out had been unable to find work in a major city, and had been very hungry until he was taken in and assisted by the Salvation Army for whom he had the deepest reverence and love - told me that if I left school he would walk me every day to school and stay there throughout the day to ensure I did my studies until I graduated. He further told me that I did not understand how important education is. Dad told me that he would not be giving me a house, an inheritance or monthly allowance when he passed. What he was giving me, he told me, was something far greater; the best education he could afford so that when he was dead and gone to God, he would be at peace knowing that whatever ill or difficulties might befall me, I would be able to put a roof over my head and food on my table. And Dad said, 'Nog, Education is the key to a better future. You might not understand now, but believe me, the day will come when you will understand exactly what I am talking to you about, and you might even thank me for it'.
Unconvinced of this, but bowing to Dad's decision, I unhappily continued my daily trudge to school and the then seeming drudgery of eternal round of lessons and class discipline. Years later I had cause to remember Dad's words when I fell ill after a car accident injury, and began to experience a creeping paralysis of some of my muscles with unbearable pain. I required extensive and very expensive ongoing medical and dental treatment for a number of years while I continued working. Only my very expensive education and career which both my Dad and Mom had sacrificed a lot to be able to finance for me enabled me to fund the treatment which eventually led to my recovery. Now Dad is indeed in heaven, and I have the wisdom to understand just how caring and wise his words were to a rebellious teenager who was tired of the discipline of study. I had not been able to understand just how great a gift I was being given, a gift that not every person receives.
Yet here was this young girl with a wisdom beyond her years; deeply grateful for education, and fiercely determined to read every book, study every subject, and made the best use of every opportunity Lumiere and her carers were sending her way. I felt deeply humbled.
There are many in this world who are not given this great opportunity of education. In the spirit of Lumiere, please consider sponsoring the education and care of a child who has no-one in the world to care for them, or for a child whose parents are ill, homeless or out of work and who face a bleak future as a result. Another great assistance is to fund the education of an adult who is illiterate or uneducated due to personal life circumstances, and cannot earn a good salary as a result. Lumiere Charity funds many such children and adults, and many have already graduated and are leading full and productive lives.
There is truly no greater joy in the world than to know that the light of education sponsored by you has given a whole new future to someone who otherwise would have suffered much hardship and possible death on the streets. There are many groups who dedicate themselves selflessly to the assistance of others; they would be delighted to receive sponsorship for one of the children for whom they care. Perhaps Providence has guided you to read these words so that you can assist one of his little ones not to live abandoned and unloved to die on a street, but to receive education and care and be able to afford a happy family life for the future.
* Name has been changed
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