Raising the Roof for Glory!
If you found yourself here, you have likely read the story about our student's mud house washing away in the rains. We have received a list of the costs to build a roof, add a door with a lock, and glass windows with security bars. The total is $2500.00. If we raise more than that, the remaining will go towards constructing a bathroom with an outdoor bucket bath shower--they will continue to go to the well for water.
If you've not read about Glory and her family, the following gives you an idea of what is up....
Every now and then, my heart and gut are wrenched. For the most part, I make an effort to share the good stuff happening over here--there's a lot--kids have a safe place to go, they get to eat some nutritious food, education is happening, etc. There is another side to our kids' lives--when they leave Hill Crest or school, some have a fuller plate than I could ever imagine for myself.
Yesterday, we walked about an hour up the hill to one of our older girl's homes. We were delivering gifts from her sponsors. She wasn't home as she was at tuition (summer school). She is working hard to prepare for her exams in November, so doesn't get a June break like the other kids!
When we arrived, we found her younger sister (age about 7) guarding the home area. Mom was gone looking for work or food. Dad died awhile back. The mud hut they had been living in washed away in the heavy rains. It looks like they had been building a new house and were planning to move to it some day--folks will spend years building a home, a bit at a time, and I am betting the building began when her Dad was living.
Currently, they live inside the walls of the unfinished house--no roof except over a very small room. No doors to lock for safety--thus the need for the young girl to stay home and guard. No windows. No toilet--they use the neighbor's. No kitchen. No comfy place to sit.
For me, this is testimony to the strength of spirit that our kids possess. This little girl gets up every morning and puts on her one uniform (it's usually clean and I don't know how), she somehow travels the 3-4 miles down the hill to the bus, she goes to school with little food in her belly (gets to eat at school but not before her first class), works hard, and somehow gets back up the hill before dark to do whatever she needs to do. If she has homework...I have no idea how she gets that done. Her mom makes sure that she has the opportunity, time, and strength to get her education. Many moms would need her to stay home and help. Her mom has a different priority.
This child and mom have not asked for extra help. I had no idea what was happening. Human kids can be so strong.