Some Precious Girls

Sarah* had her first baby when she was just 12 years old. She was the same age as our Louisa is now. Now Sarah is 19 and by herself with two children. She is one of the 23 girls living at the Shelter long-dreamed of and recently set up by Carol Nzogere (Mwanza International Community Church). The girls range in age from 12 to 19 and their stories are heartbreaking. Teenage pregnancy, family rejection, death of parents, poverty, prostitution, female genital mutilation, witchcraft … these are the real life themes of their stories, but should not be defining who they are. 

These girls have dreams of being teachers and doctors. They want to go to school. They long for love and acceptance, for friendship and laughter. And this home for the girls is going a long way in helping them redefine themselves. They are being cared for, loved and taught. They are finding God and experiencing His love through Carol and others working with her. 

Baking class

Making Ginger Biscuits

It has been a real joy and privilege to visit with these girls! We have been doing some classes on baking. The girls have learnt to make breads and buns, biscuits and cakes. They are so keen to learn and eager to try – and despite all the challenges with power cuts and oven troubles, we have had a great time!

Their first cakes

Eager to try a piece of cake

Unfortunately, we had a little trouble with the first bread!

In the “waiting” time of rising or baking, we have read the Bible together. We are so grateful to Tadley Community Church for providing each girl with their own Bible! Thank you so much! It is so wonderful to see them all reading them, and bringing them to church on Sunday! And it makes Bible studies a lot easier! They enter into discussion readily and we have drawn truth and encouragement from reading for example, about Sarah, also a breadmaker, and someone who also learned about the truth of God’s promises.

Bible Study time

The girls are delighted with their Bibles!

They need your prayers. The challenges are huge. Each girl has her own struggle with where she has come from and how to move into hope for the future. There are personal spiritual struggles. There are physical battles with sickness and pregnancies. Many of the girls really need to go back to school but there is no money for school fees, books and uniforms. And there are huge challenges also for the home. Right now it is hard just to feed all the girls and they are struggling to get food each day. In time, they hope to start a bakery to bring in some much needed money. The girls are also learning to sew and producing bags to sell. Please pray for provision for these girls, that needs could be met. If you feel able to help in any way, please get in touch with us as we would just love to see some of these girls sponsored for schooling as well as having enough food to eat. Thank you!

*name changed