Broken heart.

As I hold this sweet Vanessa, my heart breaks into pieces... 9 years old and has never been to school. Years ago, her mother was married... after her father passed away, things became complicated. Struggling, her mother remarried a man who would not accept Vanessa. They sent her off to the city to be a servant in someones house; cleaning, caring for the children and cooking. Often, a position like this comes with simple food and board and also a salary of about $10 a month. For me its clear, not sugar coated, resembling what is known as child slavery. Her Aunt heard of the situation and made a way for Vanessa to live in her house. Unfortunately, her husband did not accept Vanessa either and told her she must go. Just 9 years old today... just 9.

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No acceptance, no love, no hope... I am broken when I see her smile, when I glance at her beauty and spirit. She is precious in the sight of God, unwanted by men, but precious to God. Children like Vanessa, today, have a voice. Thank you, to all who have made it possible to continue helping these broken children. Thank you...

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Often in town, people approach us asking "do you care for orphans, do you have an orphanage, can we work with you?"... gently I respond, our children have a family, they are not orphans and we do not have an orphanage. The place where they live is their home. One of the harsh realities of loosing their parents; they are not considered by many as a statistic, labeled "orphan". I can relate in a different extreme as those who don't know us, label us "muzungu". I once again explain, my name isn't muzungu (foreigner) ... I am Samantha, and I am a person. As well as our children, we care for children. Broken children, children that need not be reminded daily that one day in the past they fell into a devastating cycle that brought them to our doors. May your hearts be filled with joy, knowing you are but an instrument to changing this world, the nation of Burundi. One village, one family... one child at a time. You can make the difference today. Until next time...