Victoria School Natidai in Nakurio is a source of hope for families living within the region. The school currently has 435 students enrolled and is a symbol of hope and promise where hope and promise are scarce. Yet reality on the ground is harsh. Thirteen students were absent this week due to malaria — a stark reminder of the frailty of healthcare in rural Kenya.

There are more students than classrooms. The dining hall cannot accommodate everyone anymore, and a lot of children instead sit under trees to eat. It may be lovely in photographs, but otherwise it is eating outside under the sun, amidst dust and insects — with plate in hand.

The school went through a malaria outbreak this week. Teachers and students both were infected. The little they had was utilized by the school staff since there was no medicine available in local dispensaries. Luckily, they had a visit from a team of government doctors who provided the children with multivitamins to improve their condition.

Kanyuda School, a mission-aided project, also continues to function despite enormous challenges. The school has no buildings — children sit under trees to do their lessons. No kitchen, dining room, or piped water. It is still difficult to reach resources to this remote location.

And still, hope is not extinct. Two teachers, Eliud and Emanuel, have promised to stick around and teach these children. Their presence is a quiet miracle.

We appreciate what we’ve got — because where there was no something, now there is a school. And even though needs are still significant, we catch glimpses of God’s faithfulness in every little victory.

To all who give a helping hand to these missions via IMOCE: thank you. You are not forgotten. You are helping to write a new page for these children — one of hope, education, and dignity.