Louise Mukakarera, an ABC Child 

Louise’s mother abandoned her and her fiver five year old brother one week ago.     Previously, the family had been evicted  from their home. After wandering the streets, they met a woman who offered to let the family live with her. Louise’s older sister, upset over her mother not being able to come up with school fees, became disrespectful and abusive towards the mother. The sister ran away and they do not know where she is. The mother became very discouraged and depressed over the whole situation. Out of fear that her other children would treat her the same way, she decided to pack up and leave the family.

Now Louise and her brother are left with a woman they don’t know very well. The woman brought the children to church this Sunday to explain the situation to Pastor Francis. She is not able to care for the children and is seeking help. Louise has been told to live with her father’s sister. Louise is fearful of this situation because before her father died, all she knew of her aunt was that the father and aunt did not get along. She fears her aunt will mistreat her as well. Her brother has a different father, and they are looking for him to care for the boy. Please pray that their mother will return or that the aunt will receive Louise lovingly.

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On Friday, we took our first visit to one of the schools to visit ABC kids. Nonko Primary School is located in Kanombe, which is about 30 minutes from Kimironko. Three of our ABC children attend Nonko. Above is a picture of Antoinate Kubwimana's 3rd grade class. We were surprised to find that the teacher was absent and there was no substitute. The children still attend class and work independently from the lesson on the black board. One student is designated "Chief" and monitors the rest of the class with a stick. Most of the students don't have desks and there is no electricity in the building. On average, there are 52 children per teacher.

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As our English class enters into its second week and the registration process subsides, the students eager to learn English settle into the routine of the class. Above, two of the students practice a dialogue on greetings and introductions. The class has proven to be a fun learning experience for us as well as the students as we get to know more of the young adults of the local community. Simon (sitting in the back left) has been a huge help to both us and the students as a translator. Our hope is to need his translations less and less as the class progresses. Simon has a vision of continuing the English classes after our work here is complete.

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