Zorash came to work today to make up one of the days she took off earlier in the week. When she got here she told us that yesterday evening the father of one of the abandon children that we fed several years ago had come to the family house and tried to take the child. The grandfather on the mother’s side started fighting with the father and would not let him take the child. The child is almost 6 years old and during all this time the father has never even come to see the child much less given anything for the child’s upkeep or schooling. Several of the neighbors got into the brawl and sent the father packing. He threatened to come back and get the child. Early this morning Zorash went to the family house to see if she could figure out what was going on; when the mother of the child delivered the child she did not want the child so she took the baby and left him in the compound of the baby’s father’s house and she ran away and has never come back to check on the child. When the baby’s father saw the child he did not want the child so he secretly took the baby to the mother’s family house and left the baby in the compound. When the grandparents saw the baby they had pity on the baby and decided to raise the baby themselves. That is when they started bringing the baby to the Child Center and we fed the baby until he was old enough to eat for himself. The grandparents are very poor and they have been struggling to send the little boy to school. The grandfather said that he took 20 GH (4 dollars) to the school for the child’s school fees and the teachers gave him back 10GH (2 dollars) because they realize how poor the grandparents are. In Ghana all the children are required to wear school uniforms but the teachers have made an allowance for this young boy because they know his family cannot afford the uniforms; they let the child wear whatever he has to school. The grandfather said that the child is so bright that he knows one day he is going to be somebody special! The child’s father runs with a gang of thieves and does not live in Yendi. The grandparents are afraid that he will come and take the child away. Zorash advised them to go to the chief and to the school to let them know what is happening so they can be on the alert.
When we heard about the case we knew that something had to be done. Zorash and I went to town this morning and bought the material for the school uniforms and gave them to the tailor to have them made for the child. We decided to make 3 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts so it would be easier for the grandmother to keep clean clothes for the child. Then we went into the market and bought a couple pairs of used shoes and some underwear. He is going to be so excited when Zorash stops by their house this evening. The uniforms will not be ready until Sunday afternoon. We will pick them up and take them to the child. He will have a new uniform to wear to school on Monday. Thanks so much for helping us help the children!
Today was the second day of the monthly class. Steve said that 24 men were present for the class. Today he gave all the men a new tire and tube for their bicycles. They were happy with the gift.
Take care and keep praying for us and for the work.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
