“Abigail was one of my students who was especially motivated and dedicated. She read and wrote exceptionally well in both Swahili and English. Whenever I graded her papers I’d put a little star next to her grade. One day when I arrived she ran up to me and slipped something in my hand and ran away. It was a little marble star. Given the way the kids treasured any little pretty thing like an eraser or a glass bead or a colorful hair tie, her giving me the shiny glass star was extra special.”