Based on my observation at the bus stop every
weekday evening, these are my thoughts about what happens to a young child every
school day so that he or she manages to get to school early as it is too far
away.
Waking up every Monday to Friday morning
at 5.00 a.m. is a struggle for me. It is too early for a young girl like me to
be up at that hour. However, because school is so far away, in Westlands and we
live in Gikambura, I have to wake up very early, as I do not want to be late
for school like yesterday.
Every morning mum wakes me up and
prepares me for school. Most times, I do not have a recollection of what is
happening until I get to the door and the cold hits my soft skin and goose
bumps feel my entire body.
Immediately after breakfast mum walks me
to the bus stop. Dad is still asleep. She ensures I take the matatu to the next
bus stop. After saying our
goodbyes I get on my way as she goes back home to prepare for work. The
cold hard reality hits me once again, I am
all by myself now.
Not all days are the same. Most mornings the matatu conductors
such as “Mrefu” do not like seeing small children, as we are a burden to them. They claim we are slow and pay less for fare
prices as compared to the adults among many others reasons. I therefore
walk up to strangers and request they assist me board the bus to Westlands. It
is 6.15 a.m.
The neighbours' kids who attend the
public school next to our home are not on their way yet. How I wish I were them
or trade places, they do not have to wake up too early to go to school.
The journey to school is not so rosy. I
stand most of the time with a heavy bag full of books on my back, as homework
was a lot yesterday. I stand not out of my own choice but according to the
matatu conductor, the adults have more right to sit. Talk of the world being
unfair!
We finally get to the bus stop,
Westlands. The morning still very cold. I pull my scarf closer to my face to
shield myself from the cold. I walk slowly as my feet cannot bear the morning
cold and the heavy load of books on my back.
6.30 a.m. I get to school and sit at my
desk. All I want to do is sleep but I can’t, as I have to finish yesterday's
homework. I was too tired to finish it last evening. All the playing, running
around in school with my friends, reading and writing in class and being on the
road for almost two hours leaves me very tired that I have little energy in the
evening to finish my homework. Mum and dad
always try to help with the homework but my mind and body gives in. As a result,
I sleep on the study table. However, dad carries me to my bed when that happens.
Evening time or hometime as we like to
call it gets by so quickly. I get to the bus stop and it’s no different today.
Other school kids as well as the adults are already there waiting to go home. I
try to get into the first matatu but the rude conductor shoves me away. I
resort to sit on the pavement with the other kids and wait for a nice conductor
to come by.
One finally comes and we are on our way
home. It’s now 5.30 p.m. How I wish I was the neighbours kids, not having to
use public transport to get to school but walk a few meters to school.
The journey takes longer than expected,
as there is a heavy traffic jam. We arrive at the bus stop, I take the next
matatu to Gikambura. 6.30 p.m I find “Aunty”, I don't
know her real name, waiting for me as usual at the bus stop where mum left in
the morning and helps me carry my heavy bag until home.
"Aunty has prepared a very tasty
snack for me. I indulge before taking my evening shower and starting on my
homework. "Aunty" helps me
with it but I prefer mum and dad helping me out as they are patient and pleasant
even when I get the answers wrong.
Weekends are the best, no cold mornings,
unkind conductors such as “Mrefu” and no heavy load of books on my back. My
friends and I are all about play and more play and snacking.
My wish is that mum and dad allow me to
attend the school next door, as I am too young for all the hustling in the
morning and evening to and from school. Hear my plea mum and dad. School is too
far away.
