Esther is six years old. She lives in southern Kenya in the Masaai tribe. After a severe, prolonged illness, the family lost their father. Now the mother is forced to raise their daughter alone. Esther has two brothers and two sisters. Both sisters are married. Now she lives with her mother and two brothers in a small hut.

Esther’s life is like many of her peers associated with livestock and beadwork. This is the main source of income. There is no work in these remote villages, and so the products, souvenirs, and necklaces that they make, they have to sell on the side of the road. With the proceeds, her mother buys everything necessary for everyday life.

Esther has her responsibilities in the house. She collects firewood, washes dishes, and regularly carries drinking water in a 5-liter (1.3 gallons) container. Esther loves school, loves to sing. She is a smart talkative girl, good at reading and writing. Due to their poverty, the mother cannot give her food for lunch in school. I have more than 20 children in the classroom and in order to provide lunch for them during the month I need an extra $200. Thank you for participating in the life of my students.

Ministry in Kenya – Mercy Morris