Nsenzeni is 6 years old and lives with her loving grandmother Lontia's extended family in one multi-purpose room and 1 bedroom. The house has brick walls, a concrete floor and corrugated metal roof. Without any electricity their only light is from candles; their only water source is from the community faucets and their sanitary facility the community latrine (these latrines often spill over after heavy winter rains). Last year I donated a small amount to fund a micro-enterprise business for Lontia to sell dried fish, produce and beans. Though this small business has helped the family, it has not generated enough income to provide for emergencies and other unexpected expenses that come up.
One such unexpected expense happened last year. Lonita's home was flooded inside and out, and the roof blew off of the home. Lontia is one of those strong, proud African grandmothers who would rather work herself than accept charity. Because she wants to provide for her family, I thought it would be better to provide her with an additional IGP selling second hand clothing which is always needed in the community. That way she can pay for any further damages to their house and get a sturdier roof.
Nsenzeni, like many children living in poverty, has had a rough start in life. Her mother was 14 years old when she became pregnant, and not in a position to care for an infant. Nsenzeni's grandmother Lonita took her in, and has raised Nsenzeni like she were her daughter ever since.
I have been sponsoring Nsenzeni since she was two years old and have endeavoured to make her feel special by sending numerous direct packages of good clothing (for her self esteem), age appropriate books and educational toys as well as dolls and other toys just for fun and to give her some happy childhood memories. A bed was provided for her by a friend's legacy instead of flowers' donation and Nsenzeni was very pleased to be able to sleep comfortably instead of on the floor. Evidently, she sleeps with my letters under her pillow.
At first I despaired of ever putting a smile on her sad face because she glared at the camera even when holding the dolls I sent her. However, both Lontia and the CI staff assured me that she was delighted with her gifts. For her 5th birthday I sent her a sensitive doll which she must have used because Lontia said she learned enough from it to care for her new baby cousin. Another time she received two parcels on the day before her birthday and Lontia said in her quaint English that she "was smelling full of jolly."
Both Lontia's and my efforts seem to have paid off because she is evidently a very happy child. She loves attending church and singing gospel songs and dancing. She also enjoys running errands and helping her grandmother with her produce business. Nsenzeni is also doing very well in school and her favourite subjects are Math, Reading, Grammar, and languages particularly English. She says she wants to work hard at school and who knows one day she might become a teacher, an interpreter or work for the U.N.
I hope that some of our generous sponsors will consider donating to Nsenzeni's fundraiser so that she can continue to 'smell full of jolly.''
Many thanks Barbara
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