So about a month ago, a mother from Area Q brought her eight year old daughter to HDC with a bag full of clothes and announced that she was leaving her there. The mother claimed the daughter was “demon posessed” and destructive, but the truth was, the mother has a new boyfriend, and when a new boyfriend moves in, out go the children from previous men in many cases.
Cesanda, is her name. A few weeks previous she was badly burned on her legs with boiling hot water. Without crying, she walked all the way to the human dignity centre, and sat down without saying a word. When the burns were noticed, Jon and one of the teachers took her to the hosptial. It was the first time she’d ever left Walmer Location.
So Phumeza, our 21 year old friend and new mother of a 5 month old, agreed to take her home with her. The head teacher, Chantelle, a single mother of two girls also agreed to look after her when she could. Jon and I had her over by default a few times while socializing with Phumeza and Nolutahndo. She’s a gorgeous little girl. It’s obvious she’s been exposed to far too much of life for her age. She flinches if you move quickly around her, which tells us she’s been abused. Her mother is a known alchaholic within the community. She really loved the bathroom though, and tasted food she’d never had before when we had a basic Braai one afternoon.
Over the last four weeks, it’s become more difficult caring for her. Chantelle has two girls of her own and the honeymoon is over in many ways. When she is back in the townsihp with Phumeza and Noluthando, she is out of control. She stays out till 10:30 at night dancing in front of older men and drinking in the local tavern. Social Services have been contacted and a long term solution is being saught, but in the mean time, she needs care.
So we are taking her a few days a week.
Last night was her first night. She’s sleeping next to Fi, our guest from the UK, and so it really feels like a full house but it’s fine. We happened to have a young adults party here last night as well which I think she found a bit overwhelming. She wandered around wrapped up in a Shrek blanket and stayed close to Fi, but she happily ate a platefull of food and then put herself to bed at a decent hour. This morning she woke up early and I fed her what i feed Iona for breakfast which to your average child might seem a bit daunting (millet porridge) but she ate it right up.
We’ll see how it goes. I am praying that the right solution comes out of this. I know the poor thing is turning on the charm at the moment as she knows the situation she is in. I know these situations are fun at first but turn difficult and trying. She speaks very little english but is easy to communicate with. She needs a home. She needs a family. She needs a mom and a dad. She needs emotional healing and restoration as her little life has already been broken in many areas.
Cesanda, is her name. A few weeks previous she was badly burned on her legs with boiling hot water. Without crying, she walked all the way to the human dignity centre, and sat down without saying a word. When the burns were noticed, Jon and one of the teachers took her to the hosptial. It was the first time she’d ever left Walmer Location.
So Phumeza, our 21 year old friend and new mother of a 5 month old, agreed to take her home with her. The head teacher, Chantelle, a single mother of two girls also agreed to look after her when she could. Jon and I had her over by default a few times while socializing with Phumeza and Nolutahndo. She’s a gorgeous little girl. It’s obvious she’s been exposed to far too much of life for her age. She flinches if you move quickly around her, which tells us she’s been abused. Her mother is a known alchaholic within the community. She really loved the bathroom though, and tasted food she’d never had before when we had a basic Braai one afternoon.
Over the last four weeks, it’s become more difficult caring for her. Chantelle has two girls of her own and the honeymoon is over in many ways. When she is back in the townsihp with Phumeza and Noluthando, she is out of control. She stays out till 10:30 at night dancing in front of older men and drinking in the local tavern. Social Services have been contacted and a long term solution is being saught, but in the mean time, she needs care.
So we are taking her a few days a week.
Last night was her first night. She’s sleeping next to Fi, our guest from the UK, and so it really feels like a full house but it’s fine. We happened to have a young adults party here last night as well which I think she found a bit overwhelming. She wandered around wrapped up in a Shrek blanket and stayed close to Fi, but she happily ate a platefull of food and then put herself to bed at a decent hour. This morning she woke up early and I fed her what i feed Iona for breakfast which to your average child might seem a bit daunting (millet porridge) but she ate it right up.
We’ll see how it goes. I am praying that the right solution comes out of this. I know the poor thing is turning on the charm at the moment as she knows the situation she is in. I know these situations are fun at first but turn difficult and trying. She speaks very little english but is easy to communicate with. She needs a home. She needs a family. She needs a mom and a dad. She needs emotional healing and restoration as her little life has already been broken in many areas.
Pray for us, Chantelle, the girls, as we look for a solution in the next few months.
Pray for Cesanda, that she finds the love she deserves.
