December 21st
Sometimes I just wish I could video 24/7 my time in the Quarter for people to watch. Maybe then I could do something that would really make a difference. For now, I feel my efforts are wholly inadequate - inadequate in that so much more help is needed and inadequate because I meet so many beautiful people who deserve so much more than I can offer.
Today Esther took me to meet a woman, a girl really, named Florence. Florence is 20 years old and is the head of a 7-person family. Her parents, who were HIV positive, are dead. As the eldest, she cares for 5 younger siblings and one son. She, too, is HIV positive and her skin, tightly pulled against her bones, attests to it. The disease is leaving its imprint and her health continues to deteriorate.
She has barely enough money to feed her family, let alone send the children to school. It will cost about $900 to cover the annual school fees to enable the 6 children to attend school. Realistically, I know there are still many other children who I am committed to through the work of Project Have Hope, who are looking to me to finance their education. How can I possibly pay for the school fees for all 6 children when there are so many other families also struggling and depending on me? How can I tell Florence that I can only provide her with money to put one or 2 children in school and ask her to decide which child will be given a future and which will not? How do I walk away and not feel utterly helpless and useless?
