Under the Acacia Tree There is Hope

Since 2003, Community Education Services has touched thousands of lives – students, parents, educators and volunteers. This book tells the story of the first 15 years of CES, as told by those most impacted by it.

Here we find inspiring stories of friendship and collaboration between two groups of people - in Kenya and in Canada. They saw how many bright young people in Kenya were denied a chance for an education due to family poverty - and did something about it.

‘Under the Acacia Tree’ - describes the lives of some incredibly strong and courageous people living in rural Kenya. For nearly two decades, CES Canada has been passionate about one thing — alleviating poverty and providing hope through education for marginalized and orphaned youth living in Kenya. The reality of children unable to attend school because they cannot afford the fees or buy a school uniform, conveys the desperate need of these ‘Orphan Kids of Kakamega’.

The book includes accounts of life transformation, stories of personal tragedy and triumph, and moments where miracles are the only explanation — all seen through the lens of the Kenyan experience. This book will introduce you to Kenyan youth who in their own stories, share how much our work has affected their lives. You will hear from parents, community members, teachers and school administrators about how their students now can look forward to a better future.

‘Under the Acacia Tree’ is a powerful series of prose and poetic writings, created by the belief that everyone has a right to an education, that all youth have a voice and their lives matter.

“Under the Acacia Tree” Copyright ? 2020 will soon be available through our publisher - Friesen Press, as well as on-line retailers like Amazon, Kobo, and Indigo. Order through the Friesen Press bookstore at https://books.friesenpress.com/store. 

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Now enjoy an excerpt from a chapter entitled ‘Iron Girl’:

"Kanana (‘little one’) is eleven years old. She is the eldest of eight children, four boys and four girls. Her parents, like most people in Kenya, have no reliable jobs. They do casual work to make ends meet. There is never enough to go around. From the age of eight, Kanana learned how to cook, and she soon had the responsibility to prepare food for her younger siblings. Kanana’s goal is to become a lawyer. The road ahead will not be easy.

“I once witnessed my school desk-mate being sexually abused by a neighbour. I had to appear in Court to account for what happened. I watched the female lawyer and knew that fighting for justice was what I wanted to do. I know my parents cannot raise my school fees, but I will do anything to change our situation.”

As the firstborn girl-child, Kanana is expected to cook, look after her younger siblings and tend to the garden. She has never “stolen an eye” (travelled) into even a small town. She comes from the bush. That is how the rich describe children living under poverty. Her home is fenced with poisonous thorns. There is no electricity, only an empty tin lamp with no paraffin. It remains standing in a dark corner in her grass thatched house. When the sky is clear, she is able to do homework under the moonlight outside their house. Her thighs have become a working table."