A Girl of Two Worlds
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
This story describes the struggles when deciding between the beliefs of one's family and the beliefs of the Bible.
Description
The girl in this story lives on the plains of southern Kenya. She belongs to the Maasai tribe. Nosim is very proud to be Maasai. She is the first one from her tribe to attend school. Nosim wonders if she can belong to her family and her tribe and also belong to Jesus (be a believer in Jesus). Her people think that the old beliefs are best. At school she learns that “Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. She wonders who to believe. She struggled to believe both the old and the new ways.
The beginning of the book tells about Nosim. The story is told as if she were telling it. The eighteen chapters include thirty-eight black and white sketches.
This 168-page story gives a short history of the Maasai and customs. Ideas are given for how to pray for Africa and the Maasai people. A map of Africa shows Kenya and the place where the Maasai live.
Considerations
- Many of Nosim's struggles are the same for any child having to adjust to another culture. This would be true of changing from a tribal way of life to a more modern way of living.
- Maasai cultural values and views are presented in a non-critical manner.
- The struggles for those who believe in Jesus are given.
- The thirty-four pen and ink sketches are well done. They give a visual picture of what is happening in the story.
- This is not a true story of one certain girl. It tells about the struggles of many girls from African villages who live in boarding schools.
- Some pictures show only parts of the scenes. Others show heads and torsos. This will confuse those who are not picture literate.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- Translate and use as radio programs. There are eighteen episodes.
- Use as a drama for older elementary children. Use for adults in some African cultures.
- Record onto audio cassette. Enlarge the sketches. Use them as coloring pages or as a flipchart.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Christian Focus Publications Ltd
Cost
$4.99 (GBP) As of 2007
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Lorna Eglin :Copyright date 2003
Current copyright owner
- Africa Inland Mission (AIM)
Other Information
If you are interested in translating this story for a minority language, contact Christian Focus Publications Ltd. Working together you will make a Creative Commons License agreement.
Reviewed by
Vida, VMS Children's Resource Coordinator
Date
Feb. 1, 2008
