Day 3

Four days had passed since Mom left. Beatrice walked down the road toward the local school. Students running on the field during recess caught her eye, so she sat under a tree to watch. She gazed longingly at them, imagining herself making up games with new friends. She dreamed of reading and doing math, learning all sorts of new things. Then a familiar hopelessness filled her heart. She was too busy working at home every day to make time for school. Her mother was away, she was hungry, and the small amount of money she had was almost gone.

What if Mom never comes back? Beatrice worried. What will I do? How will I take care of my brothers and sister? How will I care for our home or find a way to buy food? How will I . . . ?

The sound of laughter snapped Beatrice out of her thoughts. Across the road, a gathering of schoolgirls pointed at her, making fun of her torn clothes and bare feet. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Beatrice jumped up and ran away. I won’t ever be able to go to school! She felt overwhelmed knowing that her siblings woke up hungry every morning and there was no food to give them. Beatrice found a quiet place to be alone as her tears began to flow.

• Why do you think Beatrice wants to attend school so badly?

• What do you think education represents in East Africa? What doors do you think it opens that are "locked" without a formal education?

• Can you imagine being in 8th grade and already assuming that you'll be poor for the rest of your life because you won't have an education?

• What are some of the non-academic skills that you learned through formal education (self-discipline, hard work, social interactions, etc.)?