This time of year seems to be hardest for me every year. I have come to realize that after having to see so much need in Jan. and Feb. of children unable to afford school fees and to be able to help so few, it becomes overwhelming. This year in particular has been tough. With the struggles in the US economy and the crisis in other parts of the world and a low exchange rate, we have had to tighten our belts, prioritize and be creative and unfortunately say "no" more often.
God is faithful and continues to show up. "So don't get discourage and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." Galations 6:9
In my discouragement He has opened my eyes to 3 certain individuals and told me "potential". Let me explain. There were 2 girls at the Fonteyn CarePoint that work so hard to help the teachers and cooks at the CarePoint. They did not have fees for school and had sat out all last year. I took a day with the girls and teacher Nomvula and tried to find them a place in a secondary school. I discovered that their final testing from grade 7 (entrance tests for high school) were extremely poor. We finally settled on them repeating grade 7 and working hard to improve their grades and scores. I say this because on that day God started educating me on the higher education system.
There is a private high school near my home that is nice and does a 5 year program in 4 years. I spoke with the headmaster (principal) and she agreed that if I found children with potential, I can let them apply to attend the school and take a test in May for 2011. They do not have scholarships but the test would let us both know if these children have the potential to make it. If they have the potential then we can see what next step God has for helping fund them.
I knew the girls I had been with that day did not have that potential but God started pointing out some other children in need with "potential".
Sphesihle Bhembe "Spay-see-sleigh Bim-bay" from our sewing graduation was the first child God highlighted to me. The other sewing graduates were in Form 1(high school) this year but Sphesihle was in grade 7 (the last year of primary school). She place 3rd in her class last year. (Every class ranks you as 1st on down and EVERY child knows their ranking.) She helps the cooks often at the Mangwaneni CarePoint and loves to learn. She is "clever" (how they refer to being smart). She will fill out an application and we will try and get her to test in May and see what unfolds.
The second child was Nonhlahla Masini, he is an 18 year old who volunteers at HPC. He is orphaned with small siblings that are placed at our I'm Not Forgotten program. He has a serving heart and God opened up a conversation that let me know that Nonhlahla was in grade 7. He is not discouraged that it has taken him so many years to afford to attend school, he keeps smiling and trying and he ranked high in his class last year. He will fill out, apply and test in May.
Then God started showing me that "potential" isn't just in going to high school. At Fonteyn, the other day, we had approved some work to be done and Dumiso Mankwakwa "Do-me-sew Mahn-gwah-gwah" a 14 year old who works to help at the CarePoint without anyone even asking was there helping the workmen. The owner said that the boy worked hard and has, you guessed it, "potential". I visited with Dumiso some and found that he was in 1st grade because of the free education this year for grade 1 and 2. (14 years old and never been to school!) I told him to work hard this year especially in learning his English and if he could excel this year and maybe next we could check into the qualifications of the intern work program the owner, who was doing the projects, has in Manzini.
Time will tell how these stories will unfold but God is soooo good!!! Nothing happens overnight and He is showing me just one at a time, the possible plans for different children. I stand amazed in His presence and encouraged that He also holds each child in the palm of His hand!!!!
