A Place, A Story, A Journey
September, 30, 2008
by Scott A. Nordstrom
I have not yet had the honor of meeting Justine, but look forward to getting to know him in November.
Justine came to our home on July 4, 2008. You might say that this was his ‘Independence day’! We think that Justine is about 11 years old and he was hurting when he arrived at House of Faith Orphanage (HOFO), both physically and emotionally. You see, Justine is from the surrounding rural area, and has been sleeping outside for quite some time. Just because a child has a home doesn’t mean that there being cared for properly. Justine was charged with caring for the family’s goats.
It is not uncommon for a family in Zambia to be somewhat involved in caring for an Orphaned child. In fact, some research I read recently indicated the 60% of all families in Zambia are somehow involved in caring for these children. The challenge is that these families are dealing with very limited resources. When it comes time to decide who gets a bigger portion, or who gets to go to school, the biological children take priority.
Unfortunately, this dilemma is creating a second class of citizen. Not that these children (or adults when grown) are looked down upon because of their family status, but they are more vulnerable based on a lack of education, poor health, and lower overall personal development. There is an estimated 75,000 children living on the streets of Zambia with no clear direction or opportunities for choice in the future. No choice as to where to live. No choice as to which school to attend. No choice for vocation. Just no choice!
I firmly believe that, one child at a time, we can encourage Hope that can actually give these children choices for their future. This is not easy work. This investment in these little lives will require time, treasure, and talent. I wish that you all could see what I have seen. All of these children that need help! The look in these children’s eyes! They look to you as they wonder if you will reach your hand down to lift them up. Will you provide any hope? Will you provide any relief? Can you be the one to come to their rescue?
Justine lost his last parent in 1999. The story goes that his mother had a seizure and fell into the fire and burned to death. His father had died of malaria several years earlier. Justine has had no parental care for almost 9 years now. No Mommy or Daddy to tuck him in. No Mommy or Daddy to take him or pick him up from school. You see, Justine was lucky to go to school at all before he came to HOFO. Justine didn’t have the proper nutrition before coming to our home. Justine lacked even a hug or any effort to help him learn to read. Before coming to HOFO, Justine was destined to spend the rest of his days with goats. Oh ya, Justine is also HIV/AIDS positive, but is now receiving the necessary medication to lead a close to normal life at HOFO.
FACT: 10%, or 1.2 million, of Zambia’s population are Orphaned children. 10%, or 120,000, of the Orphaned children of Zambia are HIV/AIDS positive. For more info on how you can help go to www.globalorphanrelief.org/ChildrenofSilembe.
