A SIGH OF RELIEF.

NAME: ALEX CHEGE NJUGUNA

AGE: 15 YEARS OLD

SCHOOL: MURANG’A HIGH, KENYA

GRADE: FORM 1

CONTACTS: 0729432715

A SIGH OF RELIEF.

Only God knew where Thomas' parents were and how they vanished. Life in the streets had become so usual that he did not experience any inferior thought of living in a magnificent house. The fact that living in the streets was not too friendly did not make him lose hope in life. Together with his siblings, he learnt how to cope with the myriad of challenges. They adapted to the life- threatening habitat since they realised themselves.

With unkempt hair and rugged attire, they strolled down to town on daily basis to atleast get the leftovers for food. They used the strange and broken language to communicate. When Thomas had become ten years of age, he began transporting goods for traders at a negotiable price. He did this either in the market or at the bus stations. Whenever he was paid handsomely, he would have a rapturous delicacy with his family. 

During the weekdays, he noticed that children of his age were carrying backpacks and wearing decently in a common manner. After doing a research, he found that the bags contained books and other learning materials. Undermining the adage that says ''curiosity killed the cat'', Thomas appeared decent and polite only to convince the children and consult them. Indeed he hid the outer look of street children. He inquired about the types of books they carry, their commonness in wearing of attire and so on. Out of good will, the school- going children briefed him on textbooks which contained the syllabus and topical questions. They also talked about the homework and tests they were carrying in their bags. Thomas was green in that area and had acquired a lot of information. He later thanked them and bid them goodbye. 

Being the first born of five, his siblings looked upon him as he was the breadwinner and he needed to act like one. It was upon him to teach his younger siblings on good manners which would not attract shame. Misfortune knocks once on a man's door. There were unlucky days whereby they slept on empty stomachs. These were the days and times when they would narrate and listen to fascinating stories up to when sleep would not let them continue. The cold corridor floors left them shivering like a lamb's tail. Learning of a balanced diet was discovered later while in school. Heavy downpours and restrictions put by the government against street families added insult to injury. They had never learnt of any other home other than the streets. They were forced to relocate for their own safety.  

There is this pessimistic view of street families as participants of burglary, theft and other vices. Some people in the community do not even ask themselves the reason why instead of homes their habitats are streets. This causes them discrimination from the community as they are seen as people who indulge in evil which might not be the case. They received all kinds of insults whole- heartedly.   

During the free days, they interacted with colleagues in the streets. In one of the meetings, one of his friend disclosed to Thomas that a drug peddler hired him to sell the prohibited intoxicants to specific customers. He revealed how expensive the stuff was and how he used to be paid handsomely without any negotiations and on a daily basis. He did not lack a snack or a gift to surprise the family he was bringing up. The business seemed to be attractive. It looked like a life transformer from being impoverished to bragging in wealth.    

No sooner had they been on the surge of drug trafficking than they were saved by a local church and they transversed to a new life. It was rather a moment of being transfigured from the days of stinking to that of living in fresh. Life had taken a new route. The church being part of a mission station took Thomas and his siblings to a sponsored school. They found their fellow age mates smartly and harmoniously learning. Time never allowed anyone to retrogress. It was a tough competition and a race against time. An Englishman once said that '’the faint- hearted never won a fair lady''. They had been placed in an orphanage still situated in the church compound. They were supportive to them as they provided the necessary requirements and created a comfortable and cosy life. Thomas and his siblings therefore agreed to work hard in order to outshine other pupils. They emulated the example of a bee when making honey. 

They hatched lots of plans on how to succeed but all their efforts hit a brick wall. The elder one gathered enough courage to consult his classteacher, Madam Hope. She advised him on team work in his studies. ‘’Through teamwork one is able to benefit mutually. Ideas are shared, mistakes are identified and one becomes assured of passing.’’ She mentored. They did not hesitate in abiding by what she had taught him. Things started going in the desired direction. Improvement was evident. They kept on revising. It reached a time when their family was the talk at all quarters. They emerged among the best in their classes. Numerous presents were awarded to them for their admirable efforts. 

Through the supportive church council, they were able to discover and nurture their talents. No sooner had they learnt of careers and career development that they identified them. It called for intense learning for them to reach their careers. It was not a bed of roses. Nor was it a walk through the park. They burnt the midnight oil, buried in a library of books.    

Thomas’ final examinations were just around the corner. He well knew that determination and discipline was key. With the concepts learnt, he tackled the questions conscious of victory. The more difficult questions required intelligent thinking for one to conquer. However the case, he was goal-oriented.

Through lots of prayers and hardwork, Thomas beat all odds. He became the first runner-up in their district and the best boy in their school. He was helped in joining high school. He continued to encourage his younger siblings to do common things uncommonly well. High school was not the end of hardworking, he kept on competing with other students and challenging himself too. He survived through thick and thin. At no point did he stop trusting in God. He passed amazingly well and pursued higher education. He succeeded in his education and helped his siblings learn comfortably. Thomas became a good role model to the society at large. He is an active member of 'From Doldrums to Sunlight' a society which helps the street families with basic needs and helps them secure jobs and continue with education.