Gavin

Gavin's Story:

My name is Gavin Ochieng Ouma. I was born in Rachuonyo District hospital. I am 10.5 years old now but I am about to be 11 years old. I live with my parents at home. They have taken care of me since I was born. My father is called Absalmus Ouma Ochieng. He has helped pay for my school fees before I was sponsored.

I first lived in Yugi’s where Damaris (my mother’s sister) and my mother took care of me. We later moved and lived in Nairobi city near the Fairview hotel. My father worked there for about 4-5 years. He had still been working there when we lived in Yugi’s.

In 2004 we moved and lived in Ngando (a "village" in the Dagoretti slum) where we live to date. I was sponsored in the year 2008. From when I was sponsored my life has gone well because my parents do not pay a lot of money for school fees.

I have learnt in more than five schools. I can’t remember some of the schools but I remember learning in City Prime Academy. It was a very nice school indeed. I  also remember learning in Holy Eden where I was later sponsored. It was a far school but had high competent teachers.

I remember learning in Four Skills Academy. I am proud of learning in that school because that’s where I knew how to read without stammering and writing words without silly mistakes. I have been doing my exams and passing it. For example when we were told to get four hundred marks and above I could get it.

I have always tried my best to make my sponsors happy and to shine because of my good performance. I had been used in going to school late but now I am trying my best to start coming as early as 6.40 because in Nelson Mandela Academy we should be in school before 6.45, the first bell of the day.

If it rings and you are out of the school compound then you are late. I have loved reading story books in Ngong Road Children Association (NRCA) because when I read with the president of  Friends of Ngong Road she (Paula) told me to continue reading more and more story books.

In NRCA I have gone for the camps. I have been happy seeing how Tom has been making children feel happy because he is very funny. I love the games he is used to playing. I wonder why he can play games which some younger people found it difficult because he is very ancient, about sixty years old.

I got to church at Nairobi Chapel. It’s near the Ngong Road Children Association office. It’s a very nice place, and its aim is to GROW DEEP TO REACH OUT WIDE.

At school I have got friends who do not know how to read so I always help them to know how to read. I have a friend called Brian. He is a stammerer. He doesn’t know how to read but knows how to play different games which I don’t. I always help him to read. And he always helps me to play different games. My other friend is Peter. He doesn’t know how to read but he is good at playing computer games which now I am interested in playing them.

We have started learning/having computer lessons in the NRCA. I hope to know more about computer soon.

Gavin