Lochoredome

Greetings from Lochoredome!

Greetings from Lochoredome Center! Another amazing school term has come to a close and we want to share some of the highlights. Thank you for your support and partnership as we work together to transform lives through Christ.

Blessings,

Maxwell Wabwoba,
Head Teacher, Lochoredome

Hope Transforms: A Success Story

Jemimah* is a 7-year-old girl from Turkana in the northern part of Kenya. She comes from a community with stringent traditions and cultural beliefs that hinder the girl child from having the privilege to be educated. Jemimah was not an exception in having to follow these traditions. From a young age, her father gave her the task of looking after their goats as she awaited to be married when she came of age. Early marriage, from as young as 7 years, is a part of the Turkana community’s culture. Despite the tough regulations that she had to follow, Jemimah was an obedient girl. One day, a MOHI social worker came across her and, after learning about her life, he approached Jemimah’s parents, convincing them to let her go to school. The father was reluctant at first, but after the social worker’s persistence in trying to make Jemimah’s father understand the importance of education, he gave in. He was also taught about children’s rights.

Jemimah’s father finally agreed to let his daughter go to school. In 2023, Jemimah was put on a waiting list for school enrollment since she did not live nearby. After some discussions between Jemimah’s father,  MOHI’s social worker, and the local village leadership, Jemimah’s father was allowed to build a manyatta (a traditional house made of sticks and thatch grass) near the school where his family would live, having easy access to our school. Eventually, Jemimah was enrolled into our kindergarten class. 

Jemimah is now in Grade 1 at Missions of Hope Lochoredome Center. Having access to education rather than looking after livestock makes her happy. At first, it was not an easy transition from her old life to the new. She could not relate well to her classmates. She would easily get irritated; her short temper often got the better of her. She was used to fighting for herself when things got rough, but after mentorship and counseling sessions, she softened up. 

Jemimah is now able to associate well with her classmates. She can also read and write. Her spiritual life has been nurtured and she can now pray. Jemimah enjoys participating in daily morning devotions with her peers. She aspires to be a doctor in the future because her goal is to give back to the community and spread God’s love. 

*Name changed for privacy

Term Highlights

• We were delighted to host the health team from Pangani, who were able to carry out health screenings. Out of the screenings done, 106 were kindergarten students, while twenty-seven were parents.
  
  
• We hosted a group of MOHI staff from Nairobi. They had a great time with the students as they visited their homes to interact with their communities and pray with them. One of them also carried out security awareness for all the staff.
  
  
• We also held a baptism and holy communion service for our seventh graders after their discipleship class.

Partner Connections

• MOHI partners, Mike and Jill Shuck,  visited and had a great time with the students and staff. The students received them well as they toured the school and visited their homes to pray with their families.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for good health among our staff in MOHI.
  
  
• Pray for God to comfort all those families who have lost their loved ones.
  
  
• Pray that God will keep providing finances so we can make a greater impact in the community.

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