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Eva is a 18 year old developmentally challenged young lady. Her birthday is September 19, 1996. Eva is a double orphan. Her father is unknown and her mother died when she was 12 years old. She lives with extended family in Bauleni. Eva likes to play net ball and soccer. When asked what she needs or wants, she replied, “ Clothes and shoes.” She would like to be a police woman, someday.
We met Eva on our first Saturday in Bauleni. She has been at school every day since then. She is a happy and very polite young lady. I felt close to her after our first meeting. Because of her developmental delay, she struggles with academics, but she always puts forth her very best effort. Zambia is a hard place to grow up for children without disabilities, so it is even harder for her. |
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When we met Eva, she had been taking medication for Tuberculosis. Because of her illness her caregivers did not treat her very well. She was forced to eat away from the rest of the family, she had her own plate and she wasn’t allowed to eat from any other one. Even after she was finished with her TB medications and seemed well, this persisted. For a while the teachers at school even made her have the same plate all the time. When we found out that she was well again, we had them stop this practice. While school is difficult for her, she is accepted by her peers and she absolutely loves being there.
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Thanks to her sponsor, Eva recently went shopping with some of the other sponsored orphans. It was a great day! She bought a skirt, blouse, and a pair of ankle boots. We were also able to buy a 10 Kg bag of Mealie-meal, apples and potatoes for the family. We were pleasantly surprised when we brought Eva home with her new things. The house was well kept and the relatives seemed kind and extremely appreciative. I think they have come to see her a bit differently since she has been going to school.
Here is Eva's letter to you, Ally. She was very happy to get your letter. Our Director, Mary, helped her to respond to you. Eva hopes that you can continue writing to her!
November 29,2012
We went to soccer practice today, where we always see Eva. We were surprised that she wasn't at school today. This is only the 2nd day that she has missed in a year and half. Mary told us that she did not come to school because over the weekend there was a fire in her house. We don't know how the fire started, but we do know that everyone is okay, but apparently all of Eva's things were burned. She couldn't come to school because, Mary says that she has no clothes, shoes, blankets, nothing. We will have Vincent, our outreach worker, check on her family tomorrow. Also, we have recently gotten some clothes donated through a clothing and shoe drive at the American International School. We were planning to wait until the drive was over before distributing, but we will go through the clothes tomorrow and find things that will fit Eva. Vincent will take pictures of the house so that we know the extent of the fire damage. We will do everything we can for her family and I'm sure that she will be back to school very soon. We will keep you updated. Thank you so much for being Eva's friend, Ally! It truly means so much to her!
Letter From Eva to Her Sponsor
I am sorry that it took so long to post this! It somehow got lost in the shuffle of things. Eva would still very much like to continue corresponding!