A Bed For Christmas

Paula and Maina delivered a new bed (made by Gitahi in the carpentry shop) in plenty of time for Christmas to Ann (the little girl with such severe scoliosis). Also a firm mattress. She has been sleeping on the ground.

Japhet's New House

Japhet and his family were among those chosen to get a house from a CFCA grant this past fall. He's the boy in the beige sweater. With him are his grandpa and mother and brothers, and some nephews for whom his mother is guardian. We don't like to build houses on hillsides, but when you live in the mountains, and that's the only land they can get, you have to.

Little Boy in the Rain

It's interesting how a different culture will view a thing. A little snow globe from the dollar store caught my attention last October, so I brought it back from home leave. I keep it on my desk and use it to amuse little kids when they're in my office with their mamas.

"Snowman" and "snow" are not within most people's experience here. I was amused to hear a mother pointing to it and saying to her little child: "See the little boy inside the ball. See the little boy. See how it is raining on the little boy. See the little boy in the rain."

December 18th

This is Shadrack with 6-yr old daughter Tabitha and 6-month old baby Jedida on her back. Brenda and Patrick are 4 and 9 years old. They lost their wife and mother just after Jedida was born as she lacked food and never regained her strength. It was brought to our attention when Shadrack brought baby Jedida in to our offices. Their little house and garden are behind them. Tabitha makes a great little mother taking care of Jedida and their grandma lives nearby. Grandma tends her garden and grows food for the children. We found their home today very high up in the mountains. Little Jedida has a terrible case of crusty yellow scalp infection covering her entire head. Shadrack will bring her down tomorrow to the dispensary for treatment.