Friday 29 June 2012

Maruge - Freedom Fighter

Maruge - Freedom Fighter


Maruge was a man of great courage and determination
Fighting in his life for two kinds of liberation
Against the British he took a stand, and
Fought for the freedom of his land
Then many years later, in his old age,
He commenced the battle of the page.

A call came over the radio, "Education for All"
Eighty-Four year old Maruge reported for school
The teachers and officials were greatly perplexed
Why the old man did not go home and relax.
"Go home Bwana, your chance you've missed"
But the hunger for knowledge made Maruge persist

By sheer determination Maruge won his place
in the First Grade to start the education race.
Alongside combatants a twelfth of his age
The war against illiteracy they began to wage
The struggle for letters is not easily overcome
Mastered by repetition like the beating of the drum

The war was long over, The British had gone
For Maruge, true freedom was not yet won.
He was not there yet but it was within sight
All he needed was learn to write.
His teacher was patient, his teacher was kind,
As for the others, they were just blind.

As in every war, the enemy we need to know,
Bureaucracy, prejudice and misunderstanding were Jericho.
Education Officials and parents said it was wrong,
In the primary school, they said Maruge did not belong.
They tried to remove him by threats and innuendo,
Intimidation and transfer to make the head teacher say, "No"


Mzee Kimani Nganga Maruge may have been the student,
He also helped the children as the teacher's new assistant,
We can learn from him to value education
The privilege of gaining a qualification
Difficulties and obstacles may impede our progress;
They must not stop us. Our aim is SUCCESS.

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