SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Now that the student Jayma was sponsoring has graduated, she has decided to sponsor yet another student in rural Kenya. Here is her explanation of why in her own words:

WHY I SPONSOR A STUDENT THROUGH FLOURISH KENYA

“A few months before my fifth birthday, one of the worst storms in the history of the Caribbean hit Jamaica’s shores: Hurricane Gilbert of 1988. Our house of zinc scrap metal and wooden planks was shredded by 80mph wind while we crouched inside. Our streets became a tumultuous river, sweeping up car tires, front doors, and bed railings. My elderly caregivers shielded me with their frail, valiant bodies from the piercing splatter of raindrops that stung like papercuts. The memory of humanitarian aid workers paddling down our street, scooping us one by one into their boats like precious cargo is one I will never forget. They gave us clean water and wrapped us in cozy blankets before rowing us to the large stadium where they were housing thousands of other islanders.

I didn’t know it then, but this was the beginning of my immigration story. My mother was already in America, working herself to the bone to ensure safe passage and provision for me. The storm was an unexpected factor that fueled her with even more urgency. I would step off of the ramp from Air Jamaica to JFK International Airport just a year later.

Even back then, I knew that most children from poor countries didn’t have my story. My two best friends and next-door neighbors would remain in abject poverty, succumbing to teen pregnancy and dropping out of school before we lost touch with them entirely. If not for those aid workers, my family might not have survived. Even if we had, my mother might never have been able to find us. The island was in disarray for several months. The telephone and postal service remained inoperable for several weeks. I could have very well lost my lifeline to a better life in the midst of that crisis. I always knew that I would become someone who would give back like those humanitarian workers did for us.

Out of my blessing and overflow, I joyfully give back to the Great Redeemer of my life and give alms to the poor as scripture commands all believers. But beyond this, I want to be part of someone else’s narrative of hope among ruins and suffering. Children with skin shades darker and lighter than mine and gleaming purple gums need to know that people like me who came from where they come from don’t always forget. I will never forget…and so, I sponsor and I pray and I wait for the opportunity to set my feet on the dusty orange ground in Kenya or the red clay soil in Jamaica…to one day look into the eyes of my people and tell them, I have not forgotten you, and neither has the Lord.”

Written by: Jayma Anne Montgomery
Huntersville, NC
Read more from Jayma at www.thiswomansthoughtlife.com

Are YOU interested in sponsoring a student for secondary school through Flourish Kenya? We have three bright teens waiting for someone like you to say yes to their dreams! Email info@flourishkenya.org to meet the students!