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girls — a refuge in the storm of their young lives. Just by living here, their lives have likely been saved. yet while these children are in a loving environment with all of their basic necessities being met, there are still pressing needs. during a tour of the facility, we found out the dormitory had recently flooded from strong rains because there is no retaining wall between the dorm and a nearby pond. there was nothing to stop the sudden flow of rising water. you could plainly see water stains on wood posts of beds and on walls that were left behind once the water receded. and they are also building a new and larger bathroom facility with several showers and toilets. if you have been around girls, you know how essential updated bathroom facili- ties are. they need financial help to complete the proj- ects so the girls can use the new facilities. after meet- ing them in person, after hearing their stories and seeing where they lived, i now know it is so important to do everything possible to get these issues resolved.


i didn’t know what to expect before i came to visit these children, but after my experience with them i found it hard to leave them. in a short time they had come to mean so much to me. as i walked to the van that would take us to our next stop, the girls gathered around the vehicle’s door to say goodbye. overcome with emotion, i made a heart with my hands, and as i did one of the girls shouted out “heart” in english. one little girl then came up to the van and placed her hand on the outside of the window. i put my hand on the inside window to mirror hers and choked back tears. i didn’t want her to see me cry. that wasn't the image i wanted her to remember. i was determined the last thing she saw on my face wouldn’t be sadness but a jubilant smile that made her feel loved and wanted. it seems so little, but it meant a great deal to me and i believe it meant a great deal to that child as well.


Urgent


Needs 1. sponsor a child: $25 per month


2. Construction of a retaining wall outside dorm: gift in any amount


3. Complete new bath- room facilities: gift in any amount


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