16
Mission Ministry
J
oyce Aoko Aruga is the recipient of one of the
Noroton Presbyterian Church’s
Foundations for the
Future
Scholarships. Joyce is an amazing young woman.
She was selected as one of 100 women from around
the world to participate in the 100 Women Project,
sponsored by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC),
and held in London in October. She was the only
participant from Kenya.
She comes from an extremely disadvantaged
background but, through hard work and determination,
she completed two years of college and received a
teaching certificate. She currently teaches in a school in
one of Nairobi’s informal communities and is using the
NPC scholarship to complete, on a part time basis, her
BEd Degree. She is a woman of deep
faith and an example of Christian life to
all that know her.
After her return from London she was
interviewed (via the internet) by John
Parker a member of the NPC Mission
Team. John and Marilyn have known
her for seven years.
John:
Before we explore your recent
experience, tell us about the 100
Women Project.
Joyce:
The 100 women project was
started by the Suffragette movement
in the UK. This movement was to
campaign for women’s voices to be
heard more clearly. It was to fight for equal rights of
women. The project tries to bring together real women
from all over the world to share their real experiences.
These women are able to open up, share, talk and
make themselves heard. (Note: The term “Suffragette
movement” is still used in England to describe what we
would call the women’s movement.)
John:
How did you find out about the 100 Women
Project?
Joyce:
I came to know 100 BBC Women through the
internet. It was an open application. All women were
invited to apply. And so I tried my luck! The BBC stated
the qualities that they required from the applicants and I
felt that I had all that they needed.
They required:
• A young, disadvantaged woman
• Able to speak English
• Who is doing extra ordinary things
• A person who is interested in politics and social work.
John:
What did you do to apply and then be selected
for this honor?
Joyce:
I gave them my story. I told them the difficulties
that I have gone through. I told them that I have been
living in a children’s home. I also mentioned my family
background. My application was also accompanied by
recommendations from the church and the chief.
I believe that it was through the grace
of God that I travelled to London. I
remember the day I applied to the 100
BBC Women it was not an easy task, so
I had to go to my church and asked the
congregation to help me in prayer so that
God may open the way for me.
John:
Getting a Visa is usually a difficult
process. What was your experience?
Joyce:
I want to thank the church mostly
the pastor who stood firm by my side.
When I applied for the Visa, it was clear
that I could not get my Visa in time
(October 23). I was told to collect it on
October 31. I tried to plead with the Visa
people but they could not listen to me.
I got the information that the Visa process takes 10-
15 days; by the time I applied it was 6 working days
remaining. Immediately I realized something was wrong,
so I decided to invite all my church pastors to help me in
prayer.
When it came to Visa application, I never thought that
to process Visa was all that expensive! In fact I thought it
was just ksh 3,000 ($36). But to my surprise, it was ksh
12,000 ($144.) Where was I to get this money since I
had nothing in my account? I thought that my visit to
London was impossible. I went back to the church and
where I work and told them my problem. I thank God
because they all responded.
Joyce Aoko Aruga
continued on next page...
