Arrived September 2009, Nick and his twin brother Jimmie were abandoned at the home of a village elder in the middle of the night. The children’s officer placed them with us the next day. Nick is approximately 1 year old and definitely the more assertive one of the twins, not afraid to let you know what he wants. Whether he wants someone to play ball with him, pick him up or give him a cup of chai, Nick isn’t shy about it! His smile and hugs win everybody over immediately.
Arrived March 2008, Sarah was born on March 29, immediately after giving birth, Sarah’s mother dropped her down a pit latrine and left her for dead. Fortunately, the baby landed face up in the muck (we believe an angel was holding her head up) and a neighbor heard her crying. After tracing the cry, the neighbor called other neighbors together and they disassembled the structure over the pit, making it possible for a young man to climb into the pit on a rope and rescue the newborn. Sarah appeared to be slightly premature and, of course, had to be treated for infections acquired in the pit, but has recovered well and is now a healthy girl,but shy, little girl.
Arrived November 2009, Abigail was found by a young couple as they went to the river to fetch water on November 14th. Despite being a newborn preemie, she seemed quite healthy. The couple instantly fell in love with her and believed that God had answered their prayers for a baby. They hoped to be foster parents but it was not possible.
Arrived December 2009, Anthony was about 12 months old when he was abandoned at the gate of the Village Inn area of town. He is severely handicapped with cerebral palsy. We suspect that his disability may have contributed to the reason he was abandoned. When he arrived, his hands were completely curled in, the skin literally rotting. With massage and manipulation exercises daily, his muscles are relaxing and he is slowly becoming more active.
Arrived December 2009, Michelle and her twin brother, Nigel, were placed with us by the Children’s Department, when they heard the desperate plight of their mother. It was reported to their office, that the mother had been admitted into a hospital after attempting to abort an eight-month pregnancy. The doctors did not think she would survive. She managed to pull through, but was still homeless and unable to care for the twins. They remain with us. They were 1 year old and Michelle was the bigger of the two, but still looks and acts younger.
