What is life like for mission worker kids in North Africa?

 By an SIM mission worker serving in North Africa  

We spoke to two children who are growing up in North Africa to get a glimpse of their daily life. Do they have homework and chores? Do they go to birthday parties and enjoy fun things with friends? Lily* (13) and Peter* (11) share what everyday life looks like for them and how following Jesus shapes their family’s rhythms, friendships and community. 

How long have you lived in North Africa?

Lily: We’ve lived here for 7 years. We were little kids when we arrived.  

What were your first impressions of North Africa?

Lily: I was pretty surprised that we were moving to North Africa and it was much hotter than my home country. However, the longer I live here, the more normal it is and it’s actually really nice. 

Peter: It was hot and poor. All the food is so spicy but we have got used to it now. 

“I like going to the mall to drink bubble tea with my friends. I play tennis and I like rollerblading at the skate park.”

For the first few years, you both went to the local school. What was that like?

Lily: At first it was hard, because everything was in Arabic and I didn’t understand anything, although my teachers spoke French and I do as well. I found it a bit hard to make friends, because I felt shy. Now, I can read, write and speak in classical Arabic as well as our local dialect (much better than my parents) so I feel confident talking to anybody. 

Peter: I made friends quite easily, although it was hard to understand what the teachers were saying. We had a lot of homework and lots of memorising of facts and poems in Arabic. 

What is International school like?

Lily: It’s awesome because now I study in English. Science is my favourite subject, I have lots of friends. 

Peter, you are now being home-schooled. Do you enjoy it?

Peter: It’s okay, I like that I can work at my own pace. 

What are your favourite things about North Africa?

Lily: I like going to the mall to drink bubble tea with my friends. I play tennis and I like rollerblading at the skate park. We both have piano lessons and we were both in a few musicals over the years. I also like going to the souk, which is the outdoor market held on the weekend, because they have lots of second-hand clothes and all kinds of interesting things. 

Peter: I also play tennis and I like coding and solving computer problems. In summer, we camp on the beach with friends or my family. Sometimes we go fishing, although we’ve never caught anything except crabs. We also go into the desert quite a bit. I like quad biking or sand surfing on the dunes. 

What don’t you like about North Africa?

Lily: The mosque calling five times a day. 

Peter: mosquitoes and jelly fish. 

What’s fun about being a Third Culture kid/teen? 

Lily: We have a youth group with other teens. On Sunday, we meet in a small fellowship. Adults and children are together and we all participate in the discussion. And every year we go to a conference with other families and I get to be with friends who live in different countries. It’s in a beautiful location and we do art and crafts together, which I love! 

Peter: I also have a Bible study group where we learn about God and hang out with friends. Right now, we are studying different worldviews, and we always have a snack at the end. 

What’s your house like? 

Lily: It’s a brick house with a wall around it. We have two canaries and tortoises in the garden. I want a cat, but my parents won’t let me because we travel a lot. 

Peter: We also have bananas growing in our garden. 

Do you miss anything from your home country? 

Lily: Of course I miss my family and drinking root-beer. 

What should other kids/ teens know before moving to North Africa? 

Lily: Don’t worry about living here. It’s very normal, we have electricity and stuff. It’s good if you like spicy food. Come here and be my friend! 

“Now, I can read, write and speak in classical Arabic as well as our local dialect (much better than my parents) so I feel confident talking to anybody.”

Peter: The local people are friendly and you will make lots of friends.