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Paul Tambe and Thomas Khan were the only two children in their village who went to school.
Because there is no school in their village, they walked for two hours through forests and rivers to get to the nearest school.
It wasn't always safe, especially when the water level in the river rose and raged, but Paul and Thomas were determined to get an education.
When tuition fees at their school increased, Thomas had to drop out and Paul had to transfer to a different school to finish third grade. "I was very sad and my heart was very heavy," Thomas's father said. "We are poor from our forefathers' time. I, too, was not fortunate to go to school. Thinking my son too would become illiterate like me, my heart sank."
Thomas now goes to work in the field with his father instead of sitting in a classroom learning how to read and write.
He also looks after his younger siblings while his parents are away working…
…and helps out with the chores, like cleaning the dishes.
Paul, on the other hand, was fortunate enough to continue his education by moving in with an aunt who lived close to a school where the tuition was free.
Paul is the only one in his family and one of the few in the village who knows how to read and write. "If we had a school here in the village, it would really help all of us," Paul's father expressed.
Right now, the children in the village are able to attend Sunday school at their village church. Hasina Mistry, the Sunday school teacher, does her best to teach the children Bible stories and songs, and also teach them how to pray.
"They have to know Jesus whether they go to school or not. It would be very nice and helpful if there is a school here…but above all, these children should come to know the Lord Jesus Christ," Hasina said.
A Gospel for Asia-supported missionary serving in the region knows how valuable it would be to have a school or a Bridge of Hope center in the village to help the children out. "The children would not only learn to read and write, but they will also be able to know the real God, as they will be able to read the Bible and other Christian literature," the missionary explained.
date posted 11/30/2010
