Recently a grade 5 student at my school had her birthday party. Instead of the traditional theme of the guest of honour receiving gifts from her friends, this birthday girl chose to host a “One Green Balloon” party at which guests donate money in lieu of gifts. The money donated by these generous families has kindly been donated to Itatu Orphan Care.
On my way to school one day last week I phoned Azikiwe to tell him about this generous donation. As we chatted he told me of a child by the name of “Gift” who is apparently in great need. He suggested that Gift should begin getting support from Itatu. Apparently Gift is the poorest of all of our children. She has only one set of clothes, a tattered dress, and no shoes. She attends school irregularly as a result of her lack of clean clothes. She is 8 years old and in grade three but is very small. Azikiwe and I determined that Gift could get a new pair of shoes, a uniform and perhaps a second set of clothes for approximately 1 700 kwacha, about $11.
Today he is taking her to buy shoes and to be fitted for a uniform. She will begin taking her breakfast and lunch at Itatu when the new term begins tomorrow. It seems that the generous gift of these grade 5 students has provided an education for a real “Gift.” Thank you to all of you and you should be very proud of yourselves for your empathy and your awareness of the world.
