South Dakota school provides hope

St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D. thrums and hums with happy talk and laughter as Thanksgiving and Christmas draw closer.

Even though these children are far from Cheney, you can sense their enthusiasm as they dream of receiving and giving gifts.

In a letter I recently received in the mail, Father J. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ chaplain of the school, gives us a brief picture of Emily, one of the students.

“Emily is 8 years old and came to us a year ago,” Kluckman writes. “You could see the hopelessness in her dark brown eyes. At St. Joseph’s, Emily lives in a loving home provided by the school.” Kluckman speaks of her nutritious meals, warm clothes, new friends and bright smile.

One brisk morning in December, Kluckman said, “Emily ran by me yelling, ‘Wah Zee ya wana ou!’” Kluckman translated, “’Santa is coming.’ Emily’s story is really what our work at St. Joseph’s Indian School is all about. It is the opportunity to give needy Native American children the wondrous gift of love and hope to make their dreams come true.”

We know of many groups in the United States, some in the Cheney area, who form an association working toward fulfilling the needs of children.

Emily’s family was poor and couldn’t provide even the basic things for her. They were determined to find a better life for Emily.

“The once-proud Lakota (Sioux) Nation is one of the most impoverished in America,” Kluckman said. “There are many reasons for this, some going back to the 1800s. The work being done at St. Joseph’s is funded by private donations from generous people.”

It is a happy person who discovers the joy of giving to another who has little.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].