I’m still thinking about a man I met last month in Kenya.
He is raising two grandchildren, who are not much older than my own boys, and supporting his wife who needs full-time medical care.
When he also fell sick, the family was faced with an impossible decision: Do the children stay in school or drop out to get jobs?
These are children in middle school…who suddenly have to take care of their caregivers.
There is no food stamp program in Kenya. There is no Medicaid or Medicare. There is no Salvation Army providing shelter.
For many families in crisis, there is simply no safety net. Except for Oasis.
Oasis staff stepped in so the children didn’t have to manage this crisis alone. But here is what I can’t stop thinking about: What if Oasis didn’t exist?
This young girl would become a “house helper” in exchange for a meal that leaves her malnourished and vulnerable to abuse. The young boy would endure hard labor for pay that couldn’t feed himself much less all four of them.
Thankfully, this was not the outcome of their story. Instead, the children are well dressed, well fed, and happy. They laugh and play. They get to continue living with their grandparents who love them dearly.
When I tell people Oasis makes a tangible difference, I’m thinking of families like this one.
Thanks for partnering with us to continue this vital work!
On mission together,
Laura Jacobs
U.S. Operations Specialist
| P.S. The two children in this family come to Oasis every morning where they receive three meals, education, and healthcare. They are smart and are excelling at their studies so they can go far in life. But there are still many children who are working when they should be in school. Worrying about putting food on the table instead of playing with friends. Your support allows us to increase our capacity—so we can step in and make sure children have the support they deserve: o4o.org/monthly/ |
