Making a transition

 

Me and fashionable Ericki

We all have to make transitions. It's part of life; growing up and moving on.

It's not always that easy but we do it. And a lot of the time, we can do it because of the people around us, supporting, motivating and pushing us to do the best that we can.



With gorgeous Dainessi

Not everybody in the world, unfortunately, is lucky enough to have this strong support system that provides them with such courage, but, I think it is safe to say that the children of Nkoaranga Orphanage, thanks to the incredible Mamas, The Small Things and yourselves that keep us going, do have the ability to make the transitions that they face, successful ones.

Ericki, Stevie and Dainess have just started boarding school this week. A transition, that, for them, is most probably going to seem very surreal for some time - the orphanage is the only home they've ever known. It may take a little while to get used to, but, they have each other. They are amazingly smart and dedicated individuals with such bright and bubbly personalities that are going to hold huge places in the world. I know they can do it.



And with silly Steveni



I just started back at Uni this week; back to the bustle of London city life, where it still feels like a transition that at times I sit and think if it's where I want to be and what I want to be doing. Since, after coming back from such an awesome (but of course, very different) few weeks out over the holidays, spent with the kids, in a small village on the slopes of a mountain, in East Africa; you wonder what it really is around you that you need in order to be 'happy'.

But, this is life. It's often easy to get distracted or taken away by experiences and moments that feel too perfect and sometimes it's as if we really do need a pinch on the arm to bring us back to reality. We just have to be thankful for these moments and that they ever existed, thankful we had the opportunity and thankful that we have the memory. Admittedly, a University workload isn't fun, but then neither is a 9-5 job in an office, or trying to keep up a business when modern economic situations aren't making it very easy to do so. But it's these hard times that move us to the good. It's just about patience, determination, positivity and support.

Seeing the picture of Ericki, Stevie and Dainess in their new pajamas in their new school just re-inforced to me why I am studying and why living as a classic poor student right now is going to be worth it in the long run! This is a transition that I am currently making in order to succeed, gain qualifications and build life experience that I hope will give me further chances of beng back with the children and helping them to integrate as they grow up.

By seeing this simple but effective photo of the children, it just gave me the boost I needed. Writing this, I hope to boost any body else who just needs that positivity of not giving up if they are in a difficult place right now and to support each other and stay focused. These kids just supported me without even realising it!

Good Luck to Stevie, Ericki and Dainess with making your transition to USA Academy, and, good luck to everybody else who is beginning a fresh new year with new goals and plans. We can do it.