Mandla

Mandlaenkosi Ndlovu, age 15

Mandla doesn't remember his parents. He was raised by his older sister, and she was able to keep him in school until 3rd grade. After that, she couldn't afford both school and food (and was having trouble providing food), so Mandla sought employment. He ended up working in a garden. During this time, a Peniel Centre staff person found him and began the process of rescuing him from this lifestyle. He moved to Peniel in June 2009 and took several months to adjust back to schooling. He is now in 7th grade and is doing well. However, Mandla doesn't have a birth certificate, and will therefore be unable to take the grade 7 exams, which allow admittance to high school. Because of not having a birth certificate, he also hasn't been able to participate in school sports, which has been really discouraging to him. 

Mandla was very quiet with us. I don't blame him - we were a little crazy, not to mention white. And weird. But that's beside the point. It is pretty obvious, however, that the younger kids really look up to Mandla. He is a quiet strength for them. 


Pray for Mandla. Pray that he wouldn't be afraid to speak his mind. Pray that they would be able to get him a birth certificate so that he can continue his education with high school and college. Pray that no matter what happens with the birth certificate situation, he would know that his value isn't found in a legal document.  Pray that he would have a strong relationship with the Lord. Pray that he will know he is loved.