https://vraduphotography.com/ weekly 1.0 https://vraduphotography.com/about monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/contact monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/intro:-waste-%7C-not monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/e-waste:-peru monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/e-waste:-india monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/plastics:-indonesia monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/dee's-story monthly 0.8 https://vraduphotography.com/in-kenya:-transformations monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/girls_with_chairs_4x6_copy.jpg Students heading into class, St. Luke's Secondary School. Students heading into class, St. Luke's Secondary School. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_gordon_afar_teaching.jpg The First Visit LATE JANUARY, 2011 “Are we together?” Gordon's voice bounced off the walls. Gordon, a 22 year old orphan and STARS high school graduate, was in the midst of explaining geometry to eight graders. “Yes.” They girls replied in low monotonous unison. Many STARS, such as Gordon, return to teach at St. Luke’s during their interim year after taking their post-secondary school exams, while they wait to learn where they have been accepted to attend university or other schools for higher education. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_gordonpointingup.jpg Gordon, himself an orphan, teaching other orphans in a science class. Gordon, himself an orphan, teaching other orphans in a science class. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/basic_classroom.jpg One late afternoon, Kevin, the soft spoken 20-year old headmaster for the St. Luke's girls secondary school, spontaneously asked me if I wanted to visit the other primary school across the road, where up to 700 hundred students attend. We entered the school grounds and saw throngs of students congregating in hubs on the red dirt courtyard to socialize after a long day in class. It wasn't until we were on our way back that I paused to peek inside one of the classrooms. I gasped at the dire austerity. Yet, there is nothing relatively unusual or desperate about this classroom, since many classrooms in rural Kenya resemble it. As I learned, many children in this part of country love going to school. One late afternoon, Kevin, the soft spoken 20-year old headmaster for the St. Luke's girls secondary school, spontaneously asked me if I wanted to visit the other primary school across the road, where up to 700 hundred students attend. We entered the school grounds and saw throngs of students congregating in hubs on the red dirt courtyard to socialize after a long day in class. It wasn't until we were on our way back that I paused to peek inside one of the classrooms. I gasped at the dire austerity. Yet, there is nothing relatively unusual or desperate about this classroom, since many classrooms in rural Kenya resemble it. As I learned, many children in this part of country love going to school. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/girls_in_dinner_line-2.jpg Dinner line, St. Luke's secondary school students. Dinner line, St. Luke's secondary school students. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_girl_withdesk.jpg Early morning, St. Luke's primary school. Early morning, St. Luke's primary school. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_Faithpensive.jpg “I think she was surprised that a tiny child would challenge her powers.” Faith, 18, is petite and soft spoken, though her quiet demeanor is quickly shed when you start talking to her. She is tenacious, determined and whip smart. Her father died when she was younger and her mother, a teacher, was unable to afford Faith's school fees once she reached secondary school. So Faith set her sights on the best school in the region and just kept showing up to class. The headmistress, a strong-willed, intimidating woman, wasn't having it. “I said to her, 'I am coming here!'” Faith recounted. The headmistress allowed Faith to attend the first term without booting her out, a rare move since administrators in Kenya routinely bar students from attending class if school fees are not paid up front. Pastor Joshua learned about Faith's situation as her second term was starting and STARS was able to cover her fees through the end of her fourth year. “I think she was surprised that a tiny child would challenge her powers.” Faith, 18, is petite and soft spoken, though her quiet demeanor is quickly shed when you start talking to her. She is tenacious, determined and whip smart. Her father died when she was younger and her mother, a teacher, was unable to afford Faith's school fees once she reached secondary school. So Faith set her sights on the best school in the region and just kept showing up to class. The headmistress, a strong-willed, intimidating woman, wasn't having it. “I said to her, 'I am coming here!'” Faith recounted. The headmistress allowed Faith to attend the first term without booting her out, a rare move since administrators in Kenya routinely bar students from attending class if school fees are not paid up front. Pastor Joshua learned about Faith's situation as her second term was starting and STARS was able to cover her fees through the end of her fourth year. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_graffitidesks.jpg Desk graffiti. Desk graffiti. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/books_.jpg School books. School books. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_steveleaning-3237.jpg Steve, 20, listens as a guest lectures at his social studes class. Like the other STARS orphans who are volunteer teachers at St. Luke's, he also teaches math and physics. He is determined to see that more girls in rural Kenya receive a secondary school education. Steve, 20, listens as a guest lectures at his social studes class. Like the other STARS orphans who are volunteer teachers at St. Luke's, he also teaches math and physics. He is determined to see that more girls in rural Kenya receive a secondary school education. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/HIV_PanoramaA.jpg In Kenya: Transformations | vraduphotography.com View In Kenya: Transformations by vraduphotography.com. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/patricia_looking_up-2.jpg Patricia, a 14-year old STARS orphan, on a day's outing, one week before beginning secondary school. Patricia, a 14-year old STARS orphan, on a day's outing, one week before beginning secondary school. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_Humphrey.jpg Humphrey. “There was no one to pay my high school fees, so I just repeated Class 8,” said Humphrey, 22, quietly and matter-of-factly. His father had already died. He didn't seem resentful at all. “There was no other option.” STARS funded his secondary school education. He wants to become a teacher. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_Steve_George.jpg Steve and George. Steve (left) and George (right), ages 20 and 22, are both orphans and STARS graduates. Steve wants to become a teacher and, George, a rural electrification technician. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/joshua_window.jpg “In secondary school I suffered a lot. I finished in 1981 and I went to work in a small restaurant in a hotel to wash plates and mop the floor. One of my co-workers pointed out a man who would come to take breakfast. He was the divisional director of schools. So, I took him breakfast one day and I said to him: 'I am an orphan. I took my second level exam. Can you please consider me to be a teacher?'" “In secondary school I suffered a lot. I finished in 1981 and I went to work in a small restaurant in a hotel to wash plates and mop the floor. One of my co-workers pointed out a man who would come to take breakfast. He was the divisional director of schools. So, I took him breakfast one day and I said to him: 'I am an orphan. I took my second level exam. Can you please consider me to be a teacher?'" https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_Abigael_laughing.jpg They call me Minji, which means The Mother of All,” bellowed Abigael. “It is because they are my children. I treat them like they are my own.” Abigael is Pastor Joshua's formidable wife and by the end of my ten day stay at the St. Luke's compound I, too, was calling her “Mama.” Pastor Joshua is an inspiration and has created a ministry that provides direct care and hope for the least of those in his society. Yet, the engine and life force that makes the compound run and the one that infuses the place with maternal affection is Abigael. I interviewed her on a Wednesday morning around 7:30am in front of the computer lab of the girls' secondary school. She had been up for a while and had already made her morning rounds to the classrooms to greet the teachers and the students. “When I married this man,” she began to recount her choosing Joshua, who courted her for over a year during college before she finally acquiesced to date him. “He said OK, but if you will build a life with me, you will also take care of orphans. And he presented me with five orphans to take in right away. At the time I said, wow, what is this thing: an orphan? I had never heard of someone who had lost both parents. But then I remembered a dream I had as a child. I dreamt that I would be taking care of many, many children. At the time, I told my mother and couldn't understand what it meant. Now I see how the dream has come true.” They call me Minji, which means The Mother of All,” bellowed Abigael. “It is because they are my children. I treat them like they are my own.” Abigael is Pastor Joshua's formidable wife and by the end of my ten day stay at the St. Luke's compound I, too, was calling her “Mama.” Pastor Joshua is an inspiration and has created a ministry that provides direct care and hope for the least of those in his society. Yet, the engine and life force that makes the compound run and the one that infuses the place with maternal affection is Abigael. I interviewed her on a Wednesday morning around 7:30am in front of the computer lab of the girls' secondary school. She had been up for a while and had already made her morning rounds to the classrooms to greet the teachers and the students. “When I married this man,” she began to recount her choosing Joshua, who courted her for over a year during college before she finally acquiesced to date him. “He said OK, but if you will build a life with me, you will also take care of orphans. And he presented me with five orphans to take in right away. At the time I said, wow, what is this thing: an orphan? I had never heard of someone who had lost both parents. But then I remembered a dream I had as a child. I dreamt that I would be taking care of many, many children. At the time, I told my mother and couldn't understand what it meant. Now I see how the dream has come true.” https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/Gordon_and_Faith_8x10_v2.jpg Gordon and Faith, two orphans who are STARS graduates. Gordon and Faith, two orphans who are STARS graduates. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/widow_visiting_despair.jpg Pastor Joshua brings food to Nyagoga, an elderly widow. Once an athlete, she is now too weak to walk. Pastor Joshua brings food to Nyagoga, an elderly widow. Once an athlete, she is now too weak to walk. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/pastor_awino_wife_home_visiting.jpg Pastor Awino and his wife, elders within the St. Luke's community, at their home. Most villagers in Miwani live in simple mud-walled homes with two rooms and without amenities or electricy. Pastor Awino and his wife, elders within the St. Luke's community, at their home. Most villagers in Miwani live in simple mud-walled homes with two rooms and without amenities or electricy. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/pastor_joshua_preaching.jpg Pastor Joshua Atieno, founder of St. Luke's secondary school, himself an orphan, preaching in front of his congregation. Pastor Joshua Atieno, founder of St. Luke's secondary school, himself an orphan, preaching in front of his congregation. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_Abigael_field.jpg Abigael in the "shamba," or farm, on the St. Luke's premises. As Abigael and I were walking back from the rice paddy one morning, we talked about why some young adults flourish and others do not, when given the same access to higher education. "You can give a person an opportunity and some will squander it," she said. The young adults in these photos want a better future for themselves and they believe it is within their reach. Abigael in the "shamba," or farm, on the St. Luke's premises. As Abigael and I were walking back from the rice paddy one morning, we talked about why some young adults flourish and others do not, when given the same access to higher education. "You can give a person an opportunity and some will squander it," she said. The young adults in these photos want a better future for themselves and they believe it is within their reach. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_dusk_westernkenya.jpg Dusk, St. Luke's premises. "In life it is easy to always welcome in but it is much harder to welcome out. Now you are family, so there is a hole that is created when you leave. It hurts when you let go of family, so don't let go of us." - Gordon, age 22, STARS graduate. Dusk, St. Luke's premises. "In life it is easy to always welcome in but it is much harder to welcome out. Now you are family, so there is a hole that is created when you leave. It hurts when you let go of family, so don't let go of us." - Gordon, age 22, STARS graduate. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/STARS_remember_short.jpg In Kenya: Transformations | vraduphotography.com View In Kenya: Transformations by vraduphotography.com. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/orangedormwall-2864.jpg 18 Months Later: The Second Visit AUGUST 2012 Noon at St. Luke's. The dormitory houses orphans who attend the on-site elementary school. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/HSgirlssmiling.jpg Christine, in high school, asking whether or not she should take physics or biology. The youngest of 8, she is the first in her family to receive an education. Christine, in high school, asking whether or not she should take physics or biology. The youngest of 8, she is the first in her family to receive an education. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/gordonhumphreyclearing.jpg Humphrey (L) is studying human resources management and Gordon (R) is pharmacology. Pastor Joshua continues to try to instill in the orphans a sense of service to help those in need, recognizing their traumatic pasts, but encouraging them to not let those experiences prevent them from becoming agents of change in their communities. “Use your skills and your talents,” Joshua urged, “to transform the world around you.” Humphrey (L) is studying human resources management and Gordon (R) is pharmacology. Pastor Joshua continues to try to instill in the orphans a sense of service to help those in need, recognizing their traumatic pasts, but encouraging them to not let those experiences prevent them from becoming agents of change in their communities. “Use your skills and your talents,” Joshua urged, “to transform the world around you.” https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/choresSTARSgirls.jpg Patricia (L) and Mavelyn (R) clean a widow's home. Pastor Joshua continues to try to instill in the orphans a sense of service to help those in need, recognizing their traumatic pasts, but encouraging them to not let those experiences prevent them from becoming agents of change in their communities. “Use your skills and your talents,” Joshua urged, “to transform the world around you.” Patricia (L) and Mavelyn (R) clean a widow's home. Pastor Joshua continues to try to instill in the orphans a sense of service to help those in need, recognizing their traumatic pasts, but encouraging them to not let those experiences prevent them from becoming agents of change in their communities. “Use your skills and your talents,” Joshua urged, “to transform the world around you.” https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/patricialeafingbook.jpg Patricia, 15, now more confident of her capabilities and talents than in 2011 when I first met her. Patricia, 15, now more confident of her capabilities and talents than in 2011 when I first met her. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/roomview.jpg The interior of a local home. The interior of a local home. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/flipflop.jpg During a Sunday service at St. Luke's. Many children in the community do not have shoes. "Do poor people in your country have shoes?" one of the high school STARS asked me. "Many do." I replied. "But how can they be poor then?" was her reply. During a Sunday service at St. Luke's. Many children in the community do not have shoes. "Do poor people in your country have shoes?" one of the high school STARS asked me. "Many do." I replied. "But how can they be poor then?" was her reply. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/moses-4884.jpg Moses, enrolled in college, is studying pharmacology. Moses, enrolled in college, is studying pharmacology. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/milliebridge.jpg Millie, an orphan at St. Luke's who is cared for by Pastor Joshua and Abigael holds their adopted son, Bridge. Seven months earlier, Abigael found him, an abandoned newborn, at the foot of a bridge and named him accordingly. Millie, an orphan at St. Luke's who is cared for by Pastor Joshua and Abigael holds their adopted son, Bridge. Seven months earlier, Abigael found him, an abandoned newborn, at the foot of a bridge and named him accordingly. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/eye.jpg Mavelyn, 16, now a high school student. Her favorite subject is French. Mavelyn, 16, now a high school student. Her favorite subject is French. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/ChristineHSpresenting.jpg Christine, in high school, practices presenting to her peers. STARS Children Africa sets up workshops to help students practice their written and speaking skills. Christine, in high school, practices presenting to her peers. STARS Children Africa sets up workshops to help students practice their written and speaking skills. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4df269c081183/images/GSTARS_walking_garden__1_of_1_.jpg Graduate STARS walking among the cabbage patches on the St. Luke's premises. As they continue to pursue higher education, let's see where they are, how they lead, and how they engage with their communities in the coming years. Graduate STARS walking among the cabbage patches on the St. Luke's premises. 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