My journey is full of surprises. Sometimes I am forced to think that my journey is the most special of all..am not bragging.I have met someone who touched the softest part of my heart...I would like to touch others hearts too...
Ouch! That is how we all go after having knelt down for just a few minutes. However to Mary kneeling is the only sure way of moving from one place to another. You may be wondering, “Why should anyone kneel to get to somewhere while they can just walk or run to their desired destination?’’
Meet twelve year old Mary Kadii Charo, a class six pupil at St. Jude Educational Centre. Mary a young girl from Samburu who through God’s plan was born physically challenged. This forces her to kneel her way through the day as much as it may be extremely tiring. What choice does she have?
At home, Mary has to get assistance from her younger sister in class five learning in Ndo ivo Primary School. Her sister does her laundry and fetches water on her behalf. Mary loves singing as a hobby. She sings better than most of us.. Her journey in life has been faced with plenty of challenges. For instance she always admires participating in athletics and playing football (where she is a big fan of Arsenal.) whoa I guess for world cup she would go for TEAM GERMANY just like me..
Just like how every child has big dreams of, “When I grow up I would like to become a…” Mary aspires to become a pilot and possibly own a plane of her own. When asked about her inspiration, the courageous young girl did not hesitate to say, “I got inspired to become a pilot when on one occasion I dreamt that I was flying a plane. This made me think deeply of the fact that I ought to work hard to make it a reality someday.” She further says, “However, my journey towards becoming a well-known, respected and successful pilot is not easy at all. Back in the days when I schooled in Samburu, my fellow pupils would laugh at me and shout to my face that I can never have a good future because no one will ever risk employing me. This always put me down including ‘killing’ my self-esteem because it made me feel like I am not fit to be in the society.” She said all these as she forced tears back into her eyes. The strength of a woman!
Later in her schooling she moved to St. Jude Educational Centre and life here too is not any easier. “After class I may ask one of my classmates for some help in the areas where I had not grasped well from the teacher. In most cases the pupils do not hesitate to reject me hence I am forced to find my way out of the situation,” Mary says. “However, I thank God for my best friend, Nadzua Hassan who accords me help and rescues in such situations. She offers to assist me not only in my academics but also when it comes to other areas. For instance, she fetches my bathing water and carries it to the bathing area,” Mary further adds.
After meeting Nadzua, she says “Mary is one very strong and future oriented girl that I know of because despite all the hurdles in her life she is always wearing a smile on her face. The other pupils never see the need of helping her in any way but I just try to help her where I can because I also believe that she is very special,”
My journey after I met this young girl has never been the same...I am amazed by God’s creation and her hardwork and determination is reason enough to now believe ‘DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY’
