Project Report
| Feb 4, 2015
Radically Changing Lives
She layed in my arms, motionless and distant, a child who seemed to have nothing to give, staring into space with empty eyes. Sick, weak, and hungry, she weighed hardly anything, but the weight of her sadness was almost more than I could physically bear. I was shocked, heartbroken, and full of anger. How could anyone do this to a child? I didn’t understand the feelings that overwhelmed me. I only knew that I had never felt this heartbroken before, and I hoped I would never have to feel this way again.
Esmeralda wasn’t always this way. Even in the worst imaginable circumstances this little child had an innocent joy that resonated from her. Although she didn’t know how to talk, she always greeted us with a smile and communicated with us in any way she could when we visted her mother and her at their home. A home that sat beside a polluted river; a home with a dirt floor; a home with no running water, no heat, not even a front door hung on a frame. Then soon after one of our visits, Esmeralda disappeared, and as many times as we asked her mother, we had no idea where to find her.
Esmeralda was severely sick, weak, and hungry when she finally arrived to the steps of Kaya. Her mother brought her. In many ways her mother was still a child herself. She had no support of her own, no real place to call home, and no desire to be a mother to Esmeralda. Perhaps she never knew her own mother’s love? However, in this moment she knew that something was wrong and that she urgently needed help for Esmeralda, so she brought her to the Kaya Center. She told us that she had left Esmeralda alone at an aunt’s house for several months where Esmeralda was severely neglected and physically abused. Esmeralda’s mother brought her to Kaya not only for help on that day, but she brought her to Kaya because she knew that she could not be a mother to precious Esmeralda.
It was a devastating and difficult experience for all of us. But it was also a day when new life began, a day that we all rejoiced at Kaya, because we knew the story of restoration was just beginning for sweet Esmeralda. It’s been almost two years since Esmeralda arrived at Kaya. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe the transformation of this child. From the little girl that sat motionless in my arms, to a child full of life, running around, smiling and bringing joy to everyone around her. She now lives with a family that treasures her, and this little girl now has a mother to show her what a mother’s tender love feels like.
Since I began working at Kaya over two years ago, I am often reminded of God’s pure love for His children. I can’t help but be in awe of the transformation I have witnessed in Esmeralda’s life – in many of the children’s lives. I am overwhelmed by His power and how he uses us for His work. He takes incredible darkness and transforms lives.
There are many people who have played a part in Esmeralda’s transformation. Kaya was able to give Esmeralda the intensive care that she needed because there is a band of supporters who believe together we can make a difference in the lives of our children in Bolivia. It’s because of your support that lives are being saved from devastation, restored, and radically transformed by the light of God’s love. Thank you for being our partners and providing the resources we need to save the lives of children.
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