Hunger : Lizzy Chemal

 

Lizzy Chemal prepares chapatis 

for her mom and her siblings.

She has a smile on her face,

for she loves her family,

and enjoys preparing the meal

to satisfy their hunger.

There is another hunger young Lizzy knows,

hunger for knowledge.

In the heart of her village,

after walking far to bring home water,

after working in the corn field,

and tending the goats,

and after the washing-up,

outside, in the dented enamel basin,

Lizzy has time to dream.

There is a life beyond this village.

She knows, because her big brother has told her,

things she cannot imagine,

places she cannot picture,

except in dreams.

Her dream has long been 

to go to secondary school.

This is a big dream for a village girl.

But - perhaps - it is possible?

Her big brother found a sponsor,

left the village,

went to school, studied hard,

and now he has come back,

with a good job, and plans to help
his family, and

the people of his village.

Looking around Kacheliba, Lizzy

and her brother know that life can be hard

for a girl who cannot get out of the village.

Daughters watch their mothers' hard lives,

help with the chores, gather water and firewood.

Lizzy knows all too well the fork in the road:

going away to school or accepting 

that this will continue to be her life,

that soon, within a few years, 

babies will begin to come.

Sometimes, in this life,  a miracle happens.

Someone across the ocean 

tells a friend about 

this brilliant girl who stands 

at the very turning in the path

between Possibility and Impossibility,

and the friend, who has a beautiful heart,

determines this girl will do the impossible.

She will go to school.

So, Dream, now, Lizzy! 
With your wide open eyes,

watch as your brother gathers the school supplies,

your mother prepares your clothing.

Watch as package after package 

- pencils, ruler, paper, books -

come in the front door, all for you.

There is such a rush to be ready, 

the plans for travel,

more excitement than Christmas,

mother proud and happy,

little Cheptoo, big-eyed and wondering,

because Lizzy is going to school!

Adorable Cheptoo, I know you will miss your big sister. But study hard in school for, when it is your turn, we will make a miracle happen for you, too!

With Love from your Koko

posted for Mid-Week Motif's challenge: Hunger