Hope does not disappoint.

Suah and the girls!

Alice, 11 years old! (sister of Claude and Vernst)


Divine, 12 years old!


Evonye, 11 years old! (sister of Eric)

Our beautiful girls are coming all this week. It has been a heartbreaking time, as we hear their stories and past situations. Divine just lost her mother in November and has been living with her 17 year old brother. Her father died years ago. No other family members care to take her in and are not capable of supporting her. Daily, she searches for food for her and also her brother who attends school. Even sitting down with her for a snack, being hungry she offered Malaki and I her snack... thinking of us. I said "this is your food, you need it... enjoy". She is very simple and content.

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Our other 2 precious girls both lost their parents long ago due to sicknesses and have tried to make due with their siblings. Searching for food, sticks and water. Life as they knew it was uncertain. To imagine, the stability a group of siblings know when their parents are with them, leading the household. Then, before their eyes, they loose both parents and are uncertain of all things. How will we be safe? How will we eat? Can we continue going to school? Who will care for us and protect us? To imagine the thoughts that run through their minds as they enter into a daily struggle to simply live. The community sees their need, but also is very poor and unable to help. They find themselves in a cycle of poverty, hopeless. In the situations of Alice and Evonye, the community was very supportive and happy to hear about the opportunity for them to have a home. Usually, when a family falls into a bind like this, other family members support in any way possible... in their case, their is no "other family members". Eric, Claude and Vernist were SO happy to have their sisters join them. Really, I haven't ever see them smile so much!

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It is a beautiful feeling to walk upon the property where the children's homes are. It's a feeling of joy, peace and hope. Tomorrow, since the children are out of school for the week (due to a teachers strike) we are going to help the children hoe in "their" garden. They each get to pick one thing to hoe... that when harvest comes, we will eat of it! They are so excited, this is what they know. You would think, give them crayons and paper... a soccer ball... and yes, we have times for this. But they love to hoe and to get weeds for the rabbits to eat; its what they know. We hope that as we share these stories with you all that you also will become a part of their hope. There is an opportunity at hand, to support them in having a hope for the future. Will you make a difference today? Until next time...