Basil and Polycarp lived with their grandmother, who started taking care of them when their father passed away and their mother abandoned them. The boys walked a couple miles every day to take a dolla dolla by themselves, all in order to make it to school. They are in kindergarten and first grade. Their grandmother works 7 days a week selling fish in Arusha in order to feed the boys, and pay for their education. She is in debt to LOAMO, making payments for the boys schooling, as well as for their Aunt's schooling. When it came time for testing, Basil and Polycarp were pulled from their classes, along with some other students. Since their payments were delinquent, they were not allowed to take their exams. They were sent home until they could provide either money or a note from Grandma as to why she couldn't pay. This day was very hard for me. I understood why the school had to be strict about payments, but it broke my heart that innocent children had to suffer due to something out of their control. As I stood discussing the upsetting reality that was unfolding, a group of children began to approach, heads hung low in sadness. Basil & Polycarp, holding hands as always, drug their feet slowly in the dirt, devastated to be headed home. They looked at me, and I gave a weak smile back, attempting to conceal my tears.
I didn't go say goodbye. I didn't give them a hug. I just watched them. Walking out of the school grounds, holding hands, knowing that whatever happens, they have eachother.
