In October we had wonderful company of a group of 13 Danes, included Tabitha’s older brother and daughter-in-law. It was a great opportunity for us to show them all our involvements. We prepared a comprehensive programme in order for them to see as much as possible.
The whole group was supposed to be off on a children’s crusade in the bush with Torkild and the team, but the weather was against them. Heavy rain hit the area every single day and the crusade was cancelled. However, changing the plan was really not all that bad because it gave us the time to visit a centre for orphans. The goal of this place is to find foster parents for as many orphans as possible. Every Saturday all these children get together for fellowship and a nice meal. We passed out some emergency aid in this region some months ago and gave some sacks of maize to the centre.
The leaders, a pastor and his wife welcomed us. We were introduced to one of the children, a 14-year-old girl who had run away from home because the parents wanted to circumcise her and force her to marry a man whom she did not love. She was terrified of both. Many of her girlfriends had been circumcised and she had seen them suffer. According to the plan she was to marry this man right after the circumcision. The girl said, “NO THANK YOU” and decided to run away. She hid at the center with the pastor and his wife because she knew that they took care of children like herself. The pastor’s wife told us that they had been allowed to see the girl without any clothes on thereby witnessing all the beat marks. Her parents had punished her for refusing to be circumcised and to marry.
All our guests were very much moved by the story and the situation and asked if there was anything to be done to help this poor girl. Before one week had passed, a home had been provided for her in Arusha. She is now attending school. She has never before attended school and therefore cannot read nor write. Fortunately, a school for adults was found, and that is the school she is now attending. She is in 1st class, is thriving and seems to be very intelligent.
The other day this girl, Neema and her foster mother came to visit us. Neema was radiant from joy and wearing her new school uniform and the school bag on her back and with a total different glint in her eyes. She was beaming with dignity.
Her happiness of her new surroundings was crystal clear. This all happened because of some in the Danish group decided to help her with schooling, food and lodging. Today, her parents have accepted her new conditions of life.
The father disappeared and they have had no contact with him for several years. Ruth is a bright girl in school. Her school decided to sponsor her schooling because they are really poor. For various reasons the school recently shut down and Ruth had to find another school.
The mother cannot afford to send Ruth to another school. Ruth’s grandfather is a Maasai and he wants to have her back in Maasai land. He does not want a girl to get eductaed, but instead follow the Maasai traditions for girls: to be married. Maasais think that only boys should get educated.
Ruth’s mother told me that Ruth’s grandfather had received an offer from an elderly, wealthy Maasai who wanted to pay a very large dowry in the form of many cows in order to marry Ruth. Ruth had been desperate because she wanted to stay in school, get her education and choose her husband when the time was ripe. For this reason the mother and Ruth came to our office asking for help.
We trusted God and sent Ruth to a good, Christian school where she is thriving.
We received a sponsor who will support her until Form 4 is completed. But Ruth wishes to continue for another two years and graduate from High School. If any of you would like to support Ruth for a few more years please write us or send a gift to our missions account. Please earmark it “Ruth”.
