Sisasenkosi Sibanda, age 12
I have been dreading writing Sisa's story. This girl is so strong, and yet, every time I look into her eyes, I can't help but think of what they have seen and it makes my heart hurt.
Sisa's dad left her and her mother in 2007, when Sisa was eight years old, and fled to South Africa. No one knows if he is dead or alive. Soon after that, Sisa's mother decided she couldn't take the burden of raising a child by herself, and so she killed herself. Sisa was the one who found her mother hanging in their hut, dead. The only person who could take care of her now was her homeless aunt who lives in Bulawayo. She had to drop out of school and was moved around from place to place until someone approached Gideon and Jennifer about her, and she was moved in to Peniel Centre quickly.
Sisa is bright, spirited, and giggly. She has the dream of becoming a school teacher. She and Shantel are best friends and have their own room in the main building of Peniel Centre - pretty special! :) She was one of the girls who would attack us with hugs when we came back from the feeding program or town. Sisa also needs counseling to help her work through her past. No child should ever have to see what this beautiful girl has seen. I am so grateful that she has Peniel Centre and the love and support of so many wonderful people!
Pray for Sisa. Pray that she will never lose her joy. Pray that she will be able to acknowledge her past. Pray that she will do well in school and achieve her goals. Pray that she will never, ever doubt how loved she is. Pray that she will feel the arms of God wrapped around her at every moment.
Sisa's dad left her and her mother in 2007, when Sisa was eight years old, and fled to South Africa. No one knows if he is dead or alive. Soon after that, Sisa's mother decided she couldn't take the burden of raising a child by herself, and so she killed herself. Sisa was the one who found her mother hanging in their hut, dead. The only person who could take care of her now was her homeless aunt who lives in Bulawayo. She had to drop out of school and was moved around from place to place until someone approached Gideon and Jennifer about her, and she was moved in to Peniel Centre quickly.
Sisa is bright, spirited, and giggly. She has the dream of becoming a school teacher. She and Shantel are best friends and have their own room in the main building of Peniel Centre - pretty special! :) She was one of the girls who would attack us with hugs when we came back from the feeding program or town. Sisa also needs counseling to help her work through her past. No child should ever have to see what this beautiful girl has seen. I am so grateful that she has Peniel Centre and the love and support of so many wonderful people!
Pray for Sisa. Pray that she will never lose her joy. Pray that she will be able to acknowledge her past. Pray that she will do well in school and achieve her goals. Pray that she will never, ever doubt how loved she is. Pray that she will feel the arms of God wrapped around her at every moment.
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| Shantel and Sisa, being ridiculous :) |
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