As I walked into the orphanage and girls' shelter, I was stunned when a tiny figure hurled herself into my arms and would not let go. This little girl who had just been brought into the orphanage/girls' shelter after having been rescued from the streets, saw me and somehow decided I was a part of her family. And from that day on, a part of her extended family I and the friends and benefactors of Lumiere Charity have been. When she eventually consented to come out of my arms, it was clear to see that one of her legs hung uselessly by her side. She was carried away for a meal, and the dedicated carers at the orphanage and shelter told me her story.
This little girl had been found living on the streets, bewildered and hungry. Her mother and infant brother had died during childbirth the previous year. Her father had continued caring for her, despite being in the last stages of tuberculosis. He had died, emaciated and careworn the previous week, and her older brother had run away into the streets. He has never been found. This child had been hurt and her leg broken. Our organisation made funds available from donations for this little girl, and she underwent multiple operations in the next year. She started schooling, starting learning to read and write and started to build up to a normal weight. This little lady who had survived such a heartrending experience needed much counselling and assistance to help her in her emotional trauma.
The previous three years have made an amazing difference in this child. She is doing well at school, her leg has completely healed and she runs around without even a limp. She is a happy and mischievous little girl, living a normal childhood at last after the difficulties of her early life. Nothing can ever make up to her what she lost, but all at Lumiere rejoice for her that out of such sadness a new life and a new chance were born for this very special little lady.
*Photograph by Catherine Nicolette - please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose
