Epilogue

Upon her return to the United States that summer, Hannah and her friends collected and distributed gently worn eyeglasses to people in need around the world—including in their own community. She talked to Wilkister and Kiano all the time, and Livvy and Jimmy got to meet on video. Hannah’s principal worked with Anne Odhiambo to start a School-to-School video connection partnership. Though sometimes challenging because of Internet disruptions and the time difference, they managed to schedule monthly calls. The students and teachers became lifelong friends and the School-to-School partnership continued to grow throughout the years.

Wilkister sold her beaded jewelry in Kenya and—with the help of Hannah and her mom—in the United States. Using the profits, she and her siblings attended secondary school. Wilkister also attended university where she studied business. She then returned to Sauri to help establish and manage small business loans for other young people in her community, especially girls. Working as an apprentice to Sarah Oloo, Wilkister helped complete construction on Higgins Road. Both Wilkister and Kiano traveled to the United States to visit Hannah and her family. Wilkister rode a roller coaster.

Hannah studied International Development in college, during which time she traveled back to Sauri, and to Kitui, where Jones introduced her to Rebecca and Anthony. Helping build School-to-School partnerships among schools globally, Hannah wanted to give children and their teachers around the world the same opportunity she had.

Whenever Hannah heard people question the possibility of poverty ending, she thought back to her first visit to Sauri, Kenya and remembered Uncle Brian’s words about the importance of progress and the value of getting to know each other. In her little elephant purse, which she still carried with her, she kept a picture of the old man and his calf. They reminded her that everything is possible. An old man and his calf named Brian Higgins.