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Hiwot Semeneh

 

"How do I minister to this family?" were among my thoughts during this home visit. Hiwot and her family's story is a heartbreaking one. Hiwot is an 8 year old child living with her mom and younger sister Matogas. BCI only accepted Hiwot as a child eligible for sponsorship as the sister is being helped by another organization. Hiwot is a grade 2 student. She would attend BCI but separating the girls is troublesome for the mom as responsibility is placed on Hiwot to help with her little sister as her mom is sick with complications due to HIV quite frequently.

Hiwot's dad is alive but there is no communication there. Here's a part of their story. When the mom was 9 years old, her family tried to engage her in an arranged marriage. She was moved from that area to get away from that situation. She moved to Addis Ababa and when she was 16 year old, she was raped and this is how Hiwot was conceived.

Some time later she met a man who was interested in helping her and took her and the child in as his own. However when the relationship progressed and the dad found out about the second pregnancy, he left the family.

Hiwot has been in the program for one year without sponsorship. Her favorite subject is English Grammar while Spoken is her least favorite. If she were to travel, she would go to China but couldn't tell us why. Her favorite food is eggs. When she is not in school, she plays or she studies, that is if she is not caring for her mom.

Current immediate needs include your prayers, a school fee of 380 birr (close to $40 USD) for the sister to join school at BCI with her older sister, rent of 300 birr per month ($15 USD) and food. The mother was very upset upon the home visit as she had asked the father to pay for the school fee but he refused to pay it. If you are interested in helping this family, contact me for more information.