I Believe There Should Be No Orphans
By Agnes Tucker
November 2012
Once upon a time, three years ago before I was adopted, I lived 11 years as an orphan. That life wasn’t as pretty as the life I have now. Although I miss my country and the other children I grew up with, I prefer this life.
I lived with 600 other orphans who are still hoping to have the life I have now. People here have more than they need I have noticed, but yet they still cry that they are poor. To be considered that they are poor, it should be that they don’t have water; they should be starving, have no clothes, no car or any means of communications.
In Civics and Economics, I learned about scarcity where people have unlimited wants and limited resources. Well, this is the definitely the case when you are an orphan. But whether you believe it or not, none of you, not even the beggars on the street in America, have faced the real life of an orphan. Because you have parents and do not have any of the circumstances mentioned in the first paragraph.
Being an orphan means you don’t get to see the outside world. The only thing you do is look outside through the same window everyday expecting someone to come for you. And when they don’t, sometimes you break into tears or accept what just happened as if you are tough.
I had been looking through my window for 11 years. And finally my time came. But before it came, I wondered if it did come, what will happen to the other orphans who are my family, friends and everything to me? Tears rolled down on my cheeks anytime I thought about when they will age out of the orphanage. They will be thrown into those dark, dirty streets. What will happen to them out there? Many things can happen to them.
Those streets are scary, I have seen them before. They are dirty because diseases travel through that air like blood travels through our bodies. People are raped and hurt on those streets. They have to hunt for food and they will be lucky if they find a piece of bread. Children die out there because of the dirty environment they are in. Imagine being on the streets, you wear the same clothes until they tear apart but still you wear them. Imagine sleeping outside on concrete, no blanket and no showers and no shoes. All these things make me cry and the sad thing is it’s true, real and happening right now.
That’s why I believe that there should be no orphans, because we’ve all got what it takes to save the life of an orphan. We’ve got more than what we need, and it won’t hurt us to share what we’ve got. If we do this all together, I promise they will be no orphans left.
By Agnes Tucker
November 2012
Once upon a time, three years ago before I was adopted, I lived 11 years as an orphan. That life wasn’t as pretty as the life I have now. Although I miss my country and the other children I grew up with, I prefer this life.
I lived with 600 other orphans who are still hoping to have the life I have now. People here have more than they need I have noticed, but yet they still cry that they are poor. To be considered that they are poor, it should be that they don’t have water; they should be starving, have no clothes, no car or any means of communications.
In Civics and Economics, I learned about scarcity where people have unlimited wants and limited resources. Well, this is the definitely the case when you are an orphan. But whether you believe it or not, none of you, not even the beggars on the street in America, have faced the real life of an orphan. Because you have parents and do not have any of the circumstances mentioned in the first paragraph.
Being an orphan means you don’t get to see the outside world. The only thing you do is look outside through the same window everyday expecting someone to come for you. And when they don’t, sometimes you break into tears or accept what just happened as if you are tough.
I had been looking through my window for 11 years. And finally my time came. But before it came, I wondered if it did come, what will happen to the other orphans who are my family, friends and everything to me? Tears rolled down on my cheeks anytime I thought about when they will age out of the orphanage. They will be thrown into those dark, dirty streets. What will happen to them out there? Many things can happen to them.
Those streets are scary, I have seen them before. They are dirty because diseases travel through that air like blood travels through our bodies. People are raped and hurt on those streets. They have to hunt for food and they will be lucky if they find a piece of bread. Children die out there because of the dirty environment they are in. Imagine being on the streets, you wear the same clothes until they tear apart but still you wear them. Imagine sleeping outside on concrete, no blanket and no showers and no shoes. All these things make me cry and the sad thing is it’s true, real and happening right now.
That’s why I believe that there should be no orphans, because we’ve all got what it takes to save the life of an orphan. We’ve got more than what we need, and it won’t hurt us to share what we’ve got. If we do this all together, I promise they will be no orphans left.
Agnes's poem:
"Where I Am From"
I am from the mountains, flowing rivers and salty seas
From the equator and little, small farms
Feel the hot sun and rays fall on you
I am from English and Luganda
I am from Christianity
Bible almost your everyday meal
Obeying and praying all times
From God the Creator of heavens and earth
I am from a responsible family
12 in one is my family
From 2 brothers and 6 sisters
Always getting on my nerves and always loud
The Tucker family is where I belong
I am from shy, quiet and happy
From pink and purple
Am from the famous Nile, thick forests and Lake Victoria
I am from my mother's belly
From the supportive lady
Who cares and loves me
Hugs and kisses me all the time
Making sure I am happy and safe
From Africa the land of unity
"Where I Am From"
I am from the mountains, flowing rivers and salty seas
From the equator and little, small farms
Feel the hot sun and rays fall on you
I am from English and Luganda
I am from Christianity
Bible almost your everyday meal
Obeying and praying all times
From God the Creator of heavens and earth
I am from a responsible family
12 in one is my family
From 2 brothers and 6 sisters
Always getting on my nerves and always loud
The Tucker family is where I belong
I am from shy, quiet and happy
From pink and purple
Am from the famous Nile, thick forests and Lake Victoria
I am from my mother's belly
From the supportive lady
Who cares and loves me
Hugs and kisses me all the time
Making sure I am happy and safe
From Africa the land of unity
Have you ever had a dream and you just wish for it to come true? Now this is me, the girl who always dreamed one dream and just wished for it to come true every single day. The dream that I and my friends thought would never be possible or even come true. Now you might be wondering why? But you can’t just imagine things as if you were living in Africa. Now some of you think that Africa is an amazing country; it sure is when you are not an orphan. Being an orphan wasn’t so bad, not until you start aging out of the orphanage. Before you age out, you see so many miraculous things happening to other kids like getting adopted or getting a real family and for, you just continue seeing it in dreams. Now that isn’t the fun way to describe Africa.
I wake up in the morning and look up in the sky asking my heavenly father if he sees what am going through, wondering if he even ever knew that I existed in this world. Asking all those different questions on my mind. Does God hear my prayers every single day? Does he care about me? Am I really the princess if he is the king of kings? I just kept wondering if I would ever get a family like other children I see at my orphanage. But one question I had in mind; why those children never wanted to leave and why were they crying if God gave them a family?? Didn’t they know what God is doing for them? Didn’t they realize how blessed they are? I never understood why they even cried. I didn’t even think that I wanted to know.
It was a rainy day, cold and the sun shining down on earth at the same time. It was going by so slow like I wanted it to; because of the one year I had until I would age out the orphanage. Not until I decided to go sit by friends to tell them about my dream and how God doesn’t care about some of us; I just wanted to tell them my dream to make the day go by fast. Before I even reached out to sit with my friends, I saw two ladies walking by, looking around the orphanage and asking kids questions. In my mind, I thought they were missionaries because of their skin color. Not that kind of people visited the orphanage often. I wasn’t sure of what they were doing and what they really wanted. I just kept looking, smiling and keeping those questions to me and my brain.
It wasn’t long until they left. Children kept talking about how nice and amazing they are and how they promised to come back and visit next week. I just kept quiet and didn’t say a single word to any of them. My best friend Gloria came and asked me what was wrong and why didn’t I come and talk to the guests who came to our orphanage? I told her that I don’t speak to people I don’t know. She was like, I got you girl, and I see what you are turning into. And I never even understood why she even said that. Is she turning her back on me or did I just turn my back on her? I left that question to God.
I was looking through the window, feeling all alone, guilty, shame, unloved and invisible on a hot sunny day! Not even a second before I turned my head away from the window, I heard a car on a rocky road. I turned my head away before my teacher called on me because I wasn’t paying attention at all. My body was in class but my mind and my soul were sold outside to find out who was getting out of that nice red shinny car. All of the sudden I see the same people I saw last week talking to children stepping out of the car. Unloading luggage as if they were going to spend the whole year in the guest house at the orphanage. Looking all confused I decided to take my mind back in class.
Well, well, well. Let’s see who is sitting over here all alone; the white lady said.
“The one sitting over here has a name.” I said
“Won’t it be nice if you tell me about yourself?”
“My name is Agnes and I am 12 years old, what do you want from me?”
“I want nothing from you dear; I just thought you are really a beautiful young lady”
“Well thank you, I think you one beautiful and nice lady I have ever met.”
“My name is Mackenzie Jackson and the lady you see over there is my mom.”
“It is was nice to meet you Mackenzie”
“Are you trying to tell me to stay away from you?”
“No, I just don’t have stories to share with you.”
“Ok Agnes it was nice to meet you too.”
I watched her walk away as she held on the side of her long blue skirt. I felt some tears in my eyes, feeling the love and the joy I haven’t felt in a while as if I had just talked to an angel. I stood up where I was sitting to go share my joy with my friends. To share how the angel visited me today. But then I decided not to. Because I was so afraid to be laughed at by Gloria and my other friends whom I told I don’t speak to strangers. I just went right into my dormitory and laid on bed feeling happy and moody at the same. But deep down in my heart I just wished to talk to Mackenzie again and get to know her better as long she is here.
I was in my second period, when I heard my teacher call my name. My heart pounded so hard with fear and questions; wondering which type of crime I have committed. Not I until I reached the front and my heart stopped asking those questions. My teacher told me to go see the front office I was so happy to leave that class room because I never liked it. I walked through the warm and cold breeze mixed together and headed to the front office. When I reached the door I saw the highly respected lady Mrs. Jalia, my principal, wearing black and blue from head to toe.
She looked at me with happiness in her eyes and all of a sudden she told me to follow her. We reached the front of the guest house and I saw Mackenzie grinning widely and crying at the same time. Before I even reached to hug her, she was already hugging me as tight as she can, squeezing my poor muscles.
Before I turned around to greet Mackenzie’s mom, she was smiling and I could tell she was full of joy. Now as you can see, my poor mind was wondering what was really going on in the guest house of Royal School and Orphanage. I gave her a nice soft hug and I ended up crying too. I was told to take a seat in the beautiful sofa chairs; they were all nice, soft and comfy. I was introduced by Jalia. She told them about my history and how long I have lived at the orphanage for 11 years almost 12. Mrs. Jodi, Mackenzie’s mom asked Jalia to leave us alone for a few minutes. At this moment, I was thinking so many things at a same time. I almost thought my brain is losing control, not until somebody tells me what’s really going on right now.
“Agnes dear”, Mrs. Jodi called.
“Yes ma’am” I said.
“I know you are confused and worried, but everything is going to be alright.”
“Okay” I said innocently.
“You are going to be my new daughter from today on.”
“What??”…. with my mouth wide open; wondering if my ears are not functioning any more.
“Yes, I know it’s kind of weird. But it means adoption”
“Are you sure you want me to be your daughter?”…… I am not the best child in this orphanage.
“Nobody is perfect in this world.” But I am going back home with you.
I just ran and hugged her so tight crying the tears of joy. I felt like I have been rescued from something unexpected. Now of course it was unexpected, but I felt like God just visited earth today. My prayers were answered; my dream came true that I was going to live in America the best country ever. I was going to get the best education and become the doctor and the kind of life I really wanted to be with. New things, new family, new life and new world. I felt so much joy deep inside me. But all of the sudden the joy was gone; I was sad like the other children I saw last time. Crying the tears of sadness. My heart saying and my mind questioning me at the same time! What about your friends? What about Gloria? Your school? What about your country, the place where you were born? Those questions came running in my mind but I pushed back those thoughts, picking back up the good thoughts of my dreams. The most important thing is I got my DREAM and my new FAMILY!!!!
BLOW ME TO THE EAST
By: Agnes Tucker
The sun is up this morning,
I step outside my house on the front porch,
But a cold breeze hits me on my way out.
I am still wearing my pink pajama pants and a pink tank top.
The bench is cold and the wind feels cold against my chocolate dark skin
I wrap my hands up on shoulders hoping it will warm me up a little
I curl my legs up on the bench and I let the wind blow my mind
For some reason it carried my mind back to Africa
I guess because it was blowing to the East and am from the East.
The cold wind reminded me of my cold and sad days in the orphanage
Here goes my wandering mind…
Up on a beautiful mountain is Royal orphanage,
The fields are always green with beautiful flowers
Being blown by the wind against the fence.
Ha! I remember those nights when it gets really cold
My friend and I loved to sit in front of the dormitory and tell stories,
But that one night was different, we were hungry and tired,
The big moon was up and though it was dark,
The sky was so clear, I felt like I could count the stars
It was a beautiful sky yet very dark and a cold night
Gloria my best friend was barging me to go inside
I insisted and told her to stay just a little
We lied down on our backs on the cold-cemented floor
Looking and watching the skies
There came a big shooting star we both saw
We held our hands and counted to three and made a wish.
We always wished for the same thing, A FAMILY!
The sun was still up,
I am still wearing my pink pajama pants and a pink tank top,
The bench is now warm and my arms are still wrapped up on my shoulders
My legs curled up on the bench,
But this time there was cold tear drops rolling down my cheeks
I unwrap my arms to wipe them up
I un curl my legs and head towards the door
I step into my warm house and watch the door close behind me
While the Eastern cold wind stopped blowing.
By: Agnes Tucker
The sun is up this morning,
I step outside my house on the front porch,
But a cold breeze hits me on my way out.
I am still wearing my pink pajama pants and a pink tank top.
The bench is cold and the wind feels cold against my chocolate dark skin
I wrap my hands up on shoulders hoping it will warm me up a little
I curl my legs up on the bench and I let the wind blow my mind
For some reason it carried my mind back to Africa
I guess because it was blowing to the East and am from the East.
The cold wind reminded me of my cold and sad days in the orphanage
Here goes my wandering mind…
Up on a beautiful mountain is Royal orphanage,
The fields are always green with beautiful flowers
Being blown by the wind against the fence.
Ha! I remember those nights when it gets really cold
My friend and I loved to sit in front of the dormitory and tell stories,
But that one night was different, we were hungry and tired,
The big moon was up and though it was dark,
The sky was so clear, I felt like I could count the stars
It was a beautiful sky yet very dark and a cold night
Gloria my best friend was barging me to go inside
I insisted and told her to stay just a little
We lied down on our backs on the cold-cemented floor
Looking and watching the skies
There came a big shooting star we both saw
We held our hands and counted to three and made a wish.
We always wished for the same thing, A FAMILY!
The sun was still up,
I am still wearing my pink pajama pants and a pink tank top,
The bench is now warm and my arms are still wrapped up on my shoulders
My legs curled up on the bench,
But this time there was cold tear drops rolling down my cheeks
I unwrap my arms to wipe them up
I un curl my legs and head towards the door
I step into my warm house and watch the door close behind me
While the Eastern cold wind stopped blowing.
THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR
By: Agnes Tucker
AGGIE!! Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
Did you forget it’s your birthday?
It’s supposed to be a pink party,
I made you some pancakes,
I put coloring food to make them pink,
Come on Aggie you got to wake up,
The party starts at 3:00PM and its already 2:00
“GO AWAY, Nathan!”
While I pulled the green and blue blanket to cover up my face
For some reason I couldn’t fall back asleep
Though I really wanted to so bad
How come my heart aches on my birthday?
Why didn’t I jump out of the bed early in the AM’s?
Why don’t I feel so excited like any other person would?
I just want to go back to sleep for God’s sake.
I close my eyes so tight hoping a dream will carry me a way
But no, nothing happens
I get out of the bed and slip on my pink slippers
I run to the bathroom and take a glance in the mirror
I hear Nathan bang on the door again
“ Aggie, are you ok? “
I don’t reply though I heard him
In the mirror, I see this beautiful girl
With a lot of scars across her heart
She isn’t sad or anything, she is just full of joy
She got too much joy on this day
But she doesn’t know how to express it
Though she is turning 15
It’s her first birthday celebration ever
They never celebrated birthdays back in her orphanage
The girl in the mirror covers up those scars
And puts on a big beautiful smile on her face
And then she disappears
I open the bathroom door and Nathan is still standing there
I hug him and while I whispered
“Let’s go get these pink pancakes”
By: Agnes Tucker
AGGIE!! Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
Did you forget it’s your birthday?
It’s supposed to be a pink party,
I made you some pancakes,
I put coloring food to make them pink,
Come on Aggie you got to wake up,
The party starts at 3:00PM and its already 2:00
“GO AWAY, Nathan!”
While I pulled the green and blue blanket to cover up my face
For some reason I couldn’t fall back asleep
Though I really wanted to so bad
How come my heart aches on my birthday?
Why didn’t I jump out of the bed early in the AM’s?
Why don’t I feel so excited like any other person would?
I just want to go back to sleep for God’s sake.
I close my eyes so tight hoping a dream will carry me a way
But no, nothing happens
I get out of the bed and slip on my pink slippers
I run to the bathroom and take a glance in the mirror
I hear Nathan bang on the door again
“ Aggie, are you ok? “
I don’t reply though I heard him
In the mirror, I see this beautiful girl
With a lot of scars across her heart
She isn’t sad or anything, she is just full of joy
She got too much joy on this day
But she doesn’t know how to express it
Though she is turning 15
It’s her first birthday celebration ever
They never celebrated birthdays back in her orphanage
The girl in the mirror covers up those scars
And puts on a big beautiful smile on her face
And then she disappears
I open the bathroom door and Nathan is still standing there
I hug him and while I whispered
“Let’s go get these pink pancakes”