The Hope of a Child

What does this picture say to you???

(This was taken in Chainda Community)

Over the past couple of days I have had the opportunity to visit Beauty. (I blogged a few days ago about her). She lives in a compound very close to where I stay. She was in my one of my friend's group last year and I have just come to love and adore her. She is a double orphan, lives with her aunt, and is suffering from Sickle Cell and Malaria. I went to see her on Thursday night and I just cried sitting with her in her little house. Her aunt was trying to rub her back because of the severe pain she had. Her eyes were filled with tears as I rubbed her hands to try to comfort her. She had shortness of breath, a high fever, shaky hands, and just seemed miserable. We sat and talked with her and her aunt for awhile to see what we could do. We had brought her a little medicine and we provided some kwacha (Zambian Currency) for their transportation to the clinic the next morning.

We went back the next morning to check on her and she was doing slightly better. We brought her some rice, bread, sausage, and ice cream. (She had asked me the night before to bring that so we did! ) Once we got to where she lived, we made the decision that we need to move her in LIFEWAY; which is a boarding school we have more older children (ages 14 - 19) that live in our homes and attend school. Each child has been brought out of severe situations and rescued. In Beauty's case, since she is sooo sick all the time and her Aunt can barely provide we know that it will be better to have her within reach to provide specific food and medicine. SOO...next week I get to bring sweet Beauty into our full-time care!! It will be a glorious day!!

Friday afternoon we went over to Chainda Compound. We were visiting one of Holly's kids, Norah! She lives in a small house with no electricity, and 9 other family members in a very very small mud house. We brought her family lots of food and sweets for all the children. We got to hang out there for quite some time. 

This is me and little Leevie - a child in Chainda

Holly and I with Norah and her family!

We had gone to the office again this week and of course sweet Emma 

came around with us to visit the other students in school.

Today we had a meeting with most of the school directors about what this summer looks like. But one of the best things about this meeting is that we have partnered with the organization called Tiny Tim and Friends who provide free testing and treatment for OVC's (Orphan and Vulnerable Children). If the caretakers provide their consent then every child will be tested at Camp. It was an informative meeting and just amazing of how if a child as the ability to take ARV's the transformation it has on their health. Our entire staff and ministry is beyond excited on the partnership we have started with them. 

It's going to be one life changing summer!!