A Visit I won't soon forget - Visiting Grandmas and the Community

 

I know I’ve said it before, but when I see the children laughing, singing and playing at VOH, it’s hard for me to realize they are among some of the most vulnerable children in the community. I had a chance to be reminded of that reality a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Rick, Senior Pastor of Portico Community Church in Mississauga, and his wife Amanda, were visiting VOH Tanzania. They have been an amazing church partner with VOH for many years. I was blessed to host them and show them around. One afternoon, we climbed a steep, rugged pathway behind the VOH Centre to arrive at communities where many of our VOH children live. The VOH welfare team works with the community leaders and make house to house visits to determine who the children most in need are and invite them to come to VOH. We had a chance to visit 3 grandmothers and their homes of 5 VOH children. It was a visit I won’t soon forget. First, we went to Salome’s home. His dad died when he was a baby and his mother passed away before Salome reached his 3rd birthday. His maternal grandmother took him home with her after his mom’s funeral. Salome started at VOH in preschool and is now in 10 years old in Grade 4. His favourite subject is English. His grandma makes snacks and sells them in a local shop for a living. She shared with us how thankful she is that VOH is caring, loving and provides nutritious food for her grandson. Her hope for him is that he will study hard, graduate and become a teacher, get a government job, or even become a pilot (Salome’s dream).

Visit with Pastor Rick and Amanda with Salome's grandmother

Next, we went to Paschal and Allan’s house. They are cousins, also 10 years old in Grade 4. Their mom and dad, respectively, live in other towns to find work and send back funds as they are able. The grandmother does seasonal farming to also help provide for the children. She talked about how grateful she is that when one of them gets sick, they get the treatment they need. She knows they are in good care and gets everything they need. She also shared that her hope is that her grandsons will get their education, get good jobs and maybe even be able to help care for her when she is older.

Paschal's and Allan's home

Last, we went to visit Asia and Ramabhani’s grandmother. They, too, are cousins, live with their grandmother and joined VOH at preschool. Today they are in grade 4 and 5. Their grandma smiled as she talked about the blessing VOH is to her and her grandchildren and ended by saying, “I have nothing to pay but God will reward.”

As we climbed back down the steep hill, and returned to the VOH grounds, we met the 5 children whose homes we had just visited. It touched my heart to see them in their school uniforms, about to go to lunch and know their grandmothers’ hopes for them can become a reality. Once again, I'm thankful that VOH is here and that I'm blessed to be part of it.  I hoped you enjoyed learning a bit more of the background of some of our VOH children this month. Please continue to pray for them and their families and that VOH will continue to be a blessing to them in their lives. Many blessings! Jeanette