A Troubled Student

This past week I drove one of our secondary students along with his uncle back to school. Wycliffe started secondary school in February, but has been struggling throughout. Last term he only remained in school for one week out of the thirteen week school term. He has been running away from school and one of the times he was able to find his way all the way to Homa Bay which is about 55 km from the school. He spent several nights sleeping on the streets and without eating. Eventually he was found and brought back home to Mbita. He admitted to me that secondary school is too difficult. The schedule is challenging and the academics are at a high level. He feels that he is not smart enought to make it competing against the other bright students. We had discussed changing to a day school instead of the boarding one he is currently at and we also discussed leaving high school and learning a trade. In the end we all thought it was wise for him to learn about perseverance. No matter what he does in life he needs to learn to push through difficult situations and try to finish what he started. He assured us that he could make it through the last school term which ends in November. I think it is easier for him to think about making it through 13 weeks instead of making it through four years. We decided that after he finishes in November, we will reevaluate and see what is best for him.

He is an orphan who lost his father when he was still young. His mother battled sickness for many ears before passing away in 2007. His younger brother has also battled with sickness over the years. Wycliffe is a good boy who is struggling with his self-esteem. He is shy and reserved. It takes him a while to make friends and doesn't feel confident in anything he is doing. He has potential and is able to make it if he believes that he can. Pray for him to stay strong during this term and that he would be able to stay at school throughout. Also pray that he would see some glimmer of success that would help to motivate him to continue. And pray for him to understand how God views him and that he was created in God's image exactly the way that God wanted him to be.