Ayanda

(Sorry it has been so long. I blame the Christmas season, a new semester, and laziness for the hiatus.)

Meet Miss Ayanda Dube, age 17.

Ayanda is fantastic. She is ambitious, loud, intelligent, and a strong leader. She arrived at Peniel Centre when we only had about a week left of being in Zim, so we didn't get to know her too well, but loved the chance we got! This girl can change things. I believe she is a future leader of Zimbabwe.

Ayanda has never met her father and doesn't even know his name. Her mother hasn't been in contact for many years and is believed to be working as a prostitute in South Africa. She was raised by her maternal grandmother until she passed away before Ayanda started high school. She now had no way to support herself to go to school, and had to drop out. However, because she loves school so much, she asked her former school teachers to help her find a place to live and a way to continue with school. They approached Gideon and Jennifer, and after assessing her situation, she was brought to Peniel Centre and enrolled in high school again. It was especially important to them that Ayanda have a safe place to live and a way to attend school because of the high likelihood that she could have gotten trapped in the prostitution lifestyle.

A large obstacle that Ayanda is currently facing is her lack of a birth certificate. Without one, kids in Zimbabwe cannot play sports on their school teams or take exams. She is an excellent athlete, but the school recently had to force her to quit because of her inability to show them proof of her age and citizenship. This will also present difficulties when the time comes for her to take her exams to pass high school. Peniel Centre is working on the situation - generally, if a blood relative is involved in the process, it is much easier, but Ayanda has no family left. They will soon be traveling to the hospital where it is believed that Ayanda was born to see if they still have those records. Please pray that they are able to obtain her birth certificate! It is very demoralizing and discouraging for her to not have it.

Pray for Ayanda. Pray, once again, that the staff at Peniel can figure out a way to obtain a birth certificate for her. Pray that her joyful spirit is never crushed. Pray that she would find ways to cultivate her leadership abilities. Pray that she would always feel the peace that passes all understanding.




"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

Christmas Love

There are a few things, like lights and snow and fancy trees, that may have hinted to you that Christmas is coming soon. Why not spread some Christmas love to some wonderful people who don't have lights or snow or fancy trees? Peniel Centre has been struggling financially lately, and I would love to be able to bless them with a little extra to be able to have a little Christmas celebration for the kids. Would you help make that possible for them? 

First, I would love to send a lil' envelope of happiness. Cards, notes, kids' drawings, confetti...happiness! It has to be quick because mail time to Zimbabwe is reallllllllllllly slow. If anyone in close proximity would like to contribute, I'll send it on Wednesday. Let me know!

Secondly, if you would be willing to give to Peniel Centre for Christmas, here are the instructions. Whatever you can give would be gladly received! Even $5 goes a long way, and all donations will be sent on the 20th.

1) Go to egive-usa.com 

2) Sign up for an account 

3) Choose Westwoods Community Church

 4) Fill out your information and put something to the effect of "Christmas donation for Peniel Centre" in the comments box  

Thank you so much for being such a blessing to my life and to these kids' lives!

Lights, snow, AND a fancy tree!

 

Wellington

Wellington Sibanda, age unknown

This kid is such a joy. Wellie is pretty shy at first, but once he gets comfortable with you, he's a riot! He does not have a birth certificate, so they are unsure of his age, but he is probably between 9 and 11 years old. Wellie has a smile that brightens even the worst of days - his joy is contagious. He is an excellent soccer player, and has no problem playing with the older boys. Wellie wants to be a solider when he grows up.

Wellington is a child born of incest, but he certainly does not allow that to define him. Because of the conditions of his conception, Wellie was immediately an unwanted child. His parents couldn't handle the stigma and shame that would come if they were to raise him. Wellie did not have a home when Peniel staff found him, and his father is believed to be in prison, while no one knows where his mother is. Not having a birth certificate will present Wellington with a lot of difficulties in life, so Peniel staff are working very hard at obtaining one for him. If he doesn't have a birth certificate, he cannot participate in school sports and may have difficulties with signing up for school and for the exams that are necessary to move on in school - and these problems are only the ones that would come up in his childhood. 

Pray that a birth certificate would be obtained for Wellington. Pray that he remains joyful always. Pray that he grows into a man of character and strength. Pray that he never gives up on his goals.

Kudzi

Kudzanai Mundicha, age 10

Oh, Kudzi. This boy has so much joy. (That rhymed. Fancy.) To read about where he's coming from, you can scroll down and read my post about his brother, Future. Or click here. 


Because Kudzi spent so much time being a cattle herder, he is very behind in school. He's in a class with kids his own age (he is 10), but he can't even write his name. It's impossible to know for sure after spending just three weeks with him, but I am pretty sure that he is dyslexic. While dyslexia is relatively easily dealt with in America, there are not many resources for it in rural Zimbabwe. Right now, Rejoice does all of Kudzi's homework for him. His school has a student:teacher ratio of about 40:1, which means that he doesn't get any specialized help there. Siam (a lovely lady who went to Zim with me in May) was Kudzi's unofficial tutor while we were there, and trying to work with him was so frustrating for her. It seems that he simply cannot process things the way that the other kids do. I intend to educate myself about different learning disabilities before heading back to Peniel Centre so that I can help him progress in school. The wonderful staff at Peniel are also hoping to get him into a better school - pray that this happens! Also, if you have any book recommendations or have worked with kids with learning disabilities, please let me know!


Moving on. I wish you all could know Kudzi. He has such a beautiful heart, filled with joy and gratefulness. He is always smiling and dancing. He lights up the room. Here's a little video of him dancing! :) He's the smallest one, not wearing red.

Pray for Kudzi. Pray that his joy would bring joy to others. Pray that someone would take the time to figure out how he learns. Pray that his learning disability wouldn't run his life. Pray that he feels the arms of God wrapped around him. Pray that he knows he is loved.

Future

Future Mundicha, age 13

Future's dad died when he and his brother Kudzanai were still young. Their mother remarried a man who didn't want to care for children who were not his, so they were sent to live with their neighbor, since they had no family able to care for them. However, the neighbor didn't send them to school, but turned them into cattle herders. Eventually, their paternal grandmother heard about their situation and wanted to do something, but she was just a maid in Bulawayo and didn't have a home of her own to take them in to. The grandmother did the only thing she could think of - talked to her employer about it. He happened to have heard of Peniel Centre, and they set up a meeting right away. Future and Kudzi moved in to Peniel Centre in June 2009 and have excelled ever since.

Future is funny, timid, and brilliant. Last year, he was the smartest kid in his class, and he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. Instead of writing about who Future is, I'll just post this fabulous video that the kids recorded one day when they stole my camera...he is such a ham. A bunch of the kids made little music videos, and in most of them they are wearing Rick's sunglasses. :)

Pray for Future. Pray that he feels at home at Peniel Centre. Pray that he and Kudzi stay close. Pray that he will know what he can achieve. Pray that he keeps his joy. Pray for his heart.

Smart Shopping

It's almost practically nearly Christmas! Don't just buy ugly sweaters, unneeded electronics, and toys that will be shoved to the back of the closet by Valentine's Day. Make your gifts count for more than one person! Here are a few websites with products that benefit those in need. I love all of these organizations - they are truly helping to end the cycle of poverty. Check them out!

Sseko Designs: www.ssekodesigns.com
Sseko employs women right out of high school in Uganda. Making these sandals provides money for them to go to university. And the sandals are adorable too!

Krochet Kids International: www.krochetkids.org
Also hailing from Uganda, these guys have hats, tshirts, and scarves. The shirts are the ones that say "LOVE" with the 'O" being the shape of Africa. 

Ten Thousand Villages: www.tenthousandvillages.com
This place is fantastic. You can shop online, or they have stores all over the country. Their products come from a gazillion different countries, and best of all, it's ALL fair trade.

Yobel Market: www.yobelmarket.com
Another store much like Ten Thousand Villages...but with a lot of different products!

Sak Saum: www.ihsionline.org/ssblog
Cutest. Purses. Ever! Made in Southeast Asia by women who have been or are at risk for sex trafficking. They also have hats and wallets and scarves. (Including gifts for guys!)

Freedom Fashionistas: www.freedomfashionistas.com
Pajama pants! They are so cute and made by women who are rescued from or at risk for slavery. Also made of sustainable fabrics...big plus!

Better World Books: www.betterworldbooks.com
For all the book lovers! Much like amazon or half.com, but these guys help bring literacy and libraries to the world. Not to mention, when you order a book, you get an email...from the book. So fantastic. ;)

Or, if you are into gift cards, think about supporting me! Through my little business, I'm selling Ribbon Gift Cards. They are pretty sweet - they come in tons of categories, with cards specifically for guys, kids, weddings, jewelry, babies, etc. Prices range from $30 all the way up to $1,000. I see them as a lovely little in-between...more personal than a Target or Amazon gift card, but perfect for those people who are difficult to buy for or are far away! You can check them out on my website or ask me about them if you're interested.

Let's make a difference in somebody's life this Christmas season!

Sisa

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.

Shantel and Sisa, being ridiculous :)