Like many children around the world, a young girl named Blessing had a childhood dream. Blessing dreamed of growing up to be a journalist. She wanted to travel, discover news stories, and most importantly she wanted to write. This 16-year-old girl loved her English class, loved to read, and loved school.
Growing up in the slum compound of Kanyama, Blessing knew the only way to achieve her dream was to excel at school. In Zambia, a solid education is not just hard to find, but it is expensive as well. Blessing didn’t have the money, but she had determination and a dream.
Her mother decided to help Blessing excel and asked a neighbor, who was a math teacher, to help tutor Blessing. Sadly, the neighbor decided he needed more than the simple payments Blessing’s mother was offering for the tutoring sessions. One evening, while he and Blessing were alone, he raped her.
In one selfish act, he not only took Blessing’s innocence, but also her future. Blessing became pregnant following the rape, which meant she would soon have another mouth to feed. Continuing her education was out of the question. She dropped out because she knew she would need a job to make enough money to sustain herself and her child. Blessing thought her educational dreams would never come to pass.
To make matters worse, Blessing’s step-father had a business that was not going well. He decided that he could not afford another member of the family. On three separate occasions, he tried to end the life of Blessing’s unborn child.
Blessing adamantly fought for her child, and ultimately delivered a healthy baby boy. She decided to name him Gift because he is a “treasure from God”. Blessing wanted to ensure Gift was never going to live the life she had lived. She began working, determined to make that dream a reality.
The good news is that Blessing was not alone! The Lord had plans for her and Gift – plans that were going to come to pass. In the summer of 2009, God used Camp LIFE and one caring American volunteer to ensure Blessing’s life would be transformed forever. After a long week at camp, Blessing finally gathered the courage to share her tragic situation with her American counselor. Blessing said all she wanted was another chance at education so she could fulfill her dream and provide for her son.
Her counselor was so moved that she decided to sponsor Blessing to live in one of Family Legacy’s Community Resource Centers. Within the next week, Blessing and Gift were settling into their new home.
Now, two years later, Blessing’s life has been transformed! She attends school every day and is progressing along well in her studies to be a journalist. Her son, Gift, is also in a pre-school class. His sponsorship will ensure that his educational needs are met from Pre-K through the 12th Grade.
Blessing knows that the Lord has His hand on her:
When my American counselor asked me if I was still interested in Education I agreed. But I thought my story ended on Friday when we parted company from her at the end of Camp LIFE. To my surprise, the Family Legacy staff came to pick me up a week later and move me to a CRC.
My favorite verse in the Bible is John 3:16. It talks about God loving the world. When I remember this verse, it reminds me of the love God has for me and the plans He has for me.
Although Blessing lived a life of pain and hardship, the Lord had her in His hands. He ensured she would attend Camp LIFE, ensured she would be in the group of an American counselor who would take action on her behalf, and ensured that Blessing received a chance to follow her dreams.
We here at Family Legacy praise the Lord for how powerfully He is moving through our CRC program and thank Him for wonderful sponsors who come alongside us to bring full restoration to the children of Zambia one child at a time.
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