Elifet
Elifet had to work to support his mother, but was helped by his friend, Kenold, to fulfil his dream of going to school
A story from Tapori (the children’s branch of ATD Fourth World) in Haiti.
Elifet is a young boy from Haiti who, like many other children from around the world, wanted more than anything to go school. Sometimes this was not possible because of challenges put in his way. This is the story of how Elifet, with the help of his friend, Kenold, was able to overcome these challenges and achieve his wish of going to school.
One beautiful morning, Elifet and his little sister Choula left for school. Their mother was leaving for work. She sold vegetables at the market. To get the vegetables, she had to go to another part of the city. This was a very long walk away. She did not mind, she would go as far as she could to earn enough money so that her children could go to school.
School was not free, but Elifet was eager to learn. He wanted to learn how to do different jobs in the future so that he could help his mother. Lately, life had been even harder than usual for his family.
It was Monday morning, exam day, and Elifet arrived at school with an empty stomach. The teacher told him that he could not stay because his mother had not been able to pay the school fees for him. Elifet returned home, but his mum was still at the market. He decided to help her by making the meal, but he could not find any food in the house. Elifet went to see a neighbour, Mrs. Cassine, and said, “My mum says that she will be getting some money soon. We would like a small pot of rice for this evening”.
The next day when he saw his friends going towards the school, Elifet thought, “They’re lucky”. He was very sad as he stood in front of his house. He had not noticed that Kenold, a young neighbourhood friend, had been watching him for some time. “Hello Elifet, why aren’t you going to school this morning?”
Kenold remembered how before he had found work at the bakery, his life had also been very hard. “Hey Elifet, would you like to work with me at the bakery?” Elifet’s face lit up. “Oh yes, but I’ll have to check with my mum”. Elifet’s mother said it would be OK. “Kenold, promise you will look after my little boy. My children are all I have”, she said.
Time went by quickly, and Elifet worked very hard. Every time he received some money, he put it in a secret box. Soon he would be able to go back to school! But then one day, there was no more money in the house. Elifet’s box had to be broken open. Choula, Elifet’s little sister, hugged her mother so that she wouldn’t feel so sad. She said, “With this money you can buy really good vegetables and go back to work again”. Life in the house picked up again.
Elifet’s mother promised him that she would register him at the school this coming January. Christmas came and went and no one in the house received a gift. Still, Elifet was very happy that soon he would be going back to school.
But, one morning, Elifet found his mother seated at the table. She looked awful. She had not slept the whole night. How could she tell her son that they were still missing ten dollars towards the school fee? She did not have to say a word. Elifet understood. His eyes filled with tears: “I will never be able to go to school!” Then he ran out of the house, and bumped into Kenold without even seeing him.
Kenold understood his friend’s sadness and he felt bad. He thought for a moment: he had saved a little money. It did not take long to know what to do!
He went straight to see Elifet’s mother. “Your son is a courageous boy. Please, take this. It is not much, but…”. He handed her a ten dollar bill. And so several days later, Elifet was able to go to school.
