HER NAME MEANS "DIGNITY"

I would love to tell you about a street girl that we are crazy about. I first saw her begging with a baby on her back in the fall. It always bothered me, but at first I tried to ignore it. Later, I began asking, "where is baby's mother?" and when she pointed, I'd say, "take the baby to his mother!" Finally in December, I used my Tigrinya helper to assist me in finding out more details. The boy is apparently her sister's son. He was 17 months old at the time. Her sister was always nowhere to be found. We helped them with some powdered milk, a sippee cup, and some biscuits, along with a few birr to get some injera. Her mother had been dead 2 years and she lived with her older sister. I told her I wanted her to go to the kebelle court to get her "orphan papers" which is a document you have to have in order to certify that you are in fact, an orphan. Then, I said, maybe I could help them get some services from an NGO. In March, I was finally able to see her home, with the help of our trusted, translating taxi driver! It was miserable, really. It was in a kebele that is known for prostitution and Tej or Tella (local brews) Houses. They put out a red can in front of their door to let you know the local drink is served inside, and the street along where she lived was simply full of little red cans. I think it was this day that I learned her name meant "DIGNITY". We asked her sister why she was begging in the street and she showed us the 30 day old infant girl lying on the bed. A beautiful naked baby, but with very little hope of being fed what she needs from this malnourished mom. Haben apparently was instructed to take the older one out to beg, so they could have food. The mom couldn't work, even though she has a hairdressers certificate, because she has these 2 young children. Haben is going to school in the morning, studying at grade 2, but then has to come home to beg in the afternoons. We discussed a sponsorship project that we just love here in Mekelle and asked if the older sister, age 20, would agree to let 11 year old Haben enroll. She agreed, saying she would keep her off the streets with no more begging.
We have made many visits since this time, but haven't seen her on the streets since that day. We have begun to see the older sister smiling, and the baby is getting fat, thanks to a few cans of formula to supplement mama's milk. This week was her second week at the child sponsorship project, where she gets a hot meal at lunch, English and computer classes, free tutoring, a library, and a playground to explore safely, with NO little red cans to kick over! When we approached the grounds to visit the kids, there came this beautiful little girl, freshly showered (another service they provide) and in new clothes, with neatly braided hair and beaming from ear to ear. I didn't even recognize her at first, and then I cried. Now her life is filled with more of what her name intended....now she has hope. We are continuing to try to find ways to assist the mother with becoming more independent, but this is more difficult. For now, we are so happy for her, and for what a difference child sponsorship can make in one of these children's lives!