“The Book Child”

In the name of my birthright, please do me this justice…

I want to read and write my alphabet of dreams.

The yearning of the Book Child echoes deep in every era.

For every generation’s truth, is the education of its youth.

To stand tall in library queues and read all about life’s hues.

To turn a page without fetter and know the world a bit better.

Because from a reader, comes a leader.

Let us hope –

that the child who tends fields from morn to dusk                       

be able to smell a book’s sweet musk;

that the child who hasn’t enough money every day

be able to spend their hours in a scholarly way;

that the child who is shut away beyond their control

be proud and present for the class roll;

that the child who feels obstacles sting

be able to hear a school bell ring.

So come, let us help the Book Child in their desire to read.

To learn and to soar in all that they need.

For one day, they’ll leave the [St Jude] school gates with an enormous power to change fates

or to help solve a lifelong mystery

or perhaps even, the chance to write history.

Long live the Book Child!

By Maureen Farah Usman

Copyright 2014

*********

We asked Maureen Farah Usman, creator of the heart-warming and touching poem “The Book Child”, a few questions about her poem and her inspirations.

Maureen is a published author, has won several writing competitions and is currently working on a young adult trilogy series, children's picture books, middle-readers, inspirational poems and some animation ideas. 

*****

*  Tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m from Australia and work full-time in a Human Resources role which I really enjoy. Writing has been my passion ever since I was a child and I’ve always written poetry in some shape or form. Back in primary school, I remember writing a story and receiving the award for the most creative and imaginative story. I was so chuffed! 

I really enjoy writing poetry as it gives you the chance to tell a story with added melody and rhythm. The trick sometimes is to make the poem seem larger than what it really is, or linger far beyond the last line, or perhaps leave the reader wondering or pondering ‘what if’ or ‘what next’. That’s the power of the written word.

* What inspired you to write the poem?

Writing “The Book Child” has been very special to me.  People have told me it’s such a beautiful poem, full of emotion and power.

The Book Child” is an offshoot from an earlier poem I had written a couple of years ago called “The Pen Child”. The theme of that poem is similar in that it is vitally important for a child to be given an education – to be a student of schooling as well as a scholar of life. The idea of “The Book Child” sprouted from this, with a focus on books. Basically, for a child to be provided with their education birthright to help them become a better person and create a better world, to help others and to seek truth in themselves. 

It was such an honour to meet Gemma recently and hear all about the wonderful work she and her team are doing at St Jude’s. When Gemma was a guest of the Queensland University of Technology Golden Key Chapter in May 2014, Australia for a fundraising event (Golden Key is an international honour society), I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to commemorate her special visit by presenting a poem about education and literacy, which is what, among other important things, that St Jude stands for.

* What is the main focus of ‘The Book Child?’

The theme of the poem revolves around books; to surpass odds of circumstance and poverty (and hopefully government, structures and systems aid this and make it possible, not abet); for children’s guardians and gatekeepers to ensure they receive an access to education; that education is important for a child’s empowerment, and that access to books is so very special for a child. This is what Gemma’s work stands for and what St Jude strives for. I feel it fits the education theme perfectly and truly defines the message of literacy for children.

Prep student Josh has already gone through a rite of passage for a young child, in only a few short months. Josh earned his boyhood stripes when he broke his arm while falling off play equipment at St Jude’s. He has gained the status as the only kid in the playground with a sling and he’s enjoying the attention while he can.

Recovery has been quick for Josh, thanks to the caring support of the St Jude’s Health and Welfare team. The day a teacher carried him in with his painful, broken arm, the Lower Primary Medical Officer, Brenda was on hand to provide assistance. She carefully placed Josh’s arm in a bandage, then notified his parents before taking him to the hospital in one of our school buses.  

The doctor examined him before numerous x-rays were taken on his arm. Brenda was by his side the entire time, before Josh’s mother, Sia arrived at the hospital. The doctor determined that Josh would have to undergo an operation, to insert metal pins into his arm to realign the bone to its original place.

The costs were slowly adding up for the files, x rays, operation and overnight stay at the hospital. As Josh’s mother, made her way there, it greatly worried her about how she could afford to pay for it all on her small income, which she earned selling mandazi (a form of East African fried bread) and tea, on the side of the road.

She works hard to take care of her husband, daughter, Josh and also her niece, with all of them living in a small mud home with no electricity. She could barely afford to buy food and essentials for her family, and could not imagine how she would pay for the hospital bills.

Josh with Lower Primary Medical Officer, Brenda
Josh with Lower Primary Medical Officer, Brenda

Access to quality health care, like education for many Tanzanians, is a privilege that most can’t afford. Additionally, neither area is adequately funded by the Tanzanian government, as they are in many developed countries.

The St Jude’s Health and Welfare fund covers all medical emergencies for our students for injuries that happen whilst the student is at school. When an accident occurs, the school’s Health and Welfare team acts instantly by assessing the child and taking them to the hospital or they decide on the next best course of action.

If St Jude’s hadn’t have helped Josh and his family, they would have had to go to the hospital by themselves and put on a long waiting list. There is a severe shortage of doctors and specialists in Tanzania so there is a high chance that Josh may not have received proper treatment as local hospitals have a huge backlog of patients to deal with on a daily basis. He would likely have had to miss school because of the ongoing pain in his arm and the long wait at the hospital.

However, by St Jude’s looking after Josh and his medical bills, it meant he got immediate treatment and our Health and Welfare staff were on hand to check that he was being well looked after. 

Josh’s family is very grateful that St Jude’s paid for all of his medical expenses as it would have been out of the reach for the family to afford. “It makes me happy and a big thanks to St Jude’s, which paid for everything,” said his mother, Sia.

“I believe Josh will be the one to change the life of our family because of his education at St Jude’s and help us out of poverty. I’m so happy that he is getting a good education at the school.”

Back at home, Josh is like any other little boy who loves his Mum’s cooking, playing with his friends in the neighbourhood and catching up with his mates at St Jude’s.

Since his accident, he has taught himself how to write with his other hand so he wouldn’t miss out on any of his lessons. Josh likes reading and learning English and has hopes of someday becoming an engineer so that he can help his Mama.

“I like reading and being careful to listen to my teachers when they’re teaching,” said Josh. Recently, he has headed back to the hospital so a doctor can remove his sling and metal pins in his arm. Little Josh couldn’t wait and hopes it’s the last visit to the doctor and hospital for a while. 

If you’d like to consider becoming a sponsor or making a general donation to St Jude’s to help us fight poverty through education, you can find more details on our website http://www.schoolofstjude.org/support-us/sponsor.html.