Five year old Anabel, an orphan staying in a childcare center in Ghana, had a hard
December. She fell while riding on a friend's bike and bruised her head and face.
December was also the month that the school she is attending started up again so
she needed extra funds to pay the tuition and to buy the necessary books, pencils,
and crayons and so forth. There were the usual challenges of making sure that the
matron caring for her had enough money to pay for her shelter and provide food. And
of course it was Christmas, the delight of every child who has adults to treat her
to toys, candy, and parties and the sadness of children who do not have those
blessings.
But all of that is over and now Anabel is starting a new year of everyday routine.
She is back to attending classes on a regular basis. The injuries from her fall
have mostly healed. Anabel has continuing problems with heat rashes but at least
they are no worse than usual. She still needs everyday things like clothing and
shoes (she is at that age where she outgrows clothes faster than they wear out) and
every child deserves a few toys and candy for fun every now and then. But she has
the basics, and she is doing as well as can be expected.
Hopefully this month will be at least slightly less hard on Anabel than last month
was. She deserves a break from all the problems of life as an orphan child.
