School is too far away.

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.