Emmanuel presently is a clinical medical officer at the western part of Kenya in Teso district.

The story goes…

At the back of the class, sat a quiet little boy who would look at every teacher like, "Hope you know what you are going to teach us". He was very attentive, unlike other children and asked very tough questions. One had to prepare well before going to this class. I got very curious about the boy.

I knew very little about the students as I had only been at the school for a week. The head teacher mentioned to me that the boy was doing his second year in class 8. Usually at class 8, one sits for an examination that ushers them into a new stage. That is secondary school. I asked "why would he be sitting there for two years yet he is the best?" His answer wasn’t different from the ones had heard from fellow country men. He said to me, "Because he lacks money to register for examinations." By then the boy required only 200ksh to register for the examinations and in any case, where was he going to get his secondary school fees when he could not raise just 200 ksh? It bothered me and got me thinking.

So I did what I could. I got to know his background that was complicated. Emanuel’s dad loved the drink and his mother was jobless. He was a troubled child and needed encouragement. He had no one to look up to and was on the verge of giving up. It was a very sad situation. I supported him through the last stretch of primary school and he passed very well, being among the top in the whole district. I was proud. Emmanuel joined a good school (Maseno high school) and passed well again. This is a top school in the province. He was loved by the teachers because of his obedience and hard work. Through the assistance of many, Ukweli pastoral centre, Late Doctor Ogada included, Emmanuel did clinical medicine and went through medical school training. He was one child that was easy to support. His demands were strictly basic and essential. He calls me mum still today. He gave me a reason to continue supporting the needy.

Emmanuel is now a father of one daughter, married to a beautiful hardworking woman and is enthusiastic about working work with the needy. He visited Shinners centre with his family in December 2008 with lots of gifts for the children. I observed him and noticed a far away look, as if he had just had a flash back. Then he lifted his eyes and they had a rare glow. I knew in my heart that he had traveled many years back. Emmanuel says he would love to further his education in medicine. That he would love to do alot for the community in appreciation. He goes ahead and tells me, "Continue with your big heart, you never know, you might get an Obama out of these tiny orphaned Angels." I watch him walk away with his family and I smile to myself. No one would have guessed the happy ending.

Written By,

Caroline Ogot- Founder & Coordinator- Shinners Centre.