Tuesday 2 April 2013

Meet Annet!



Meet Annet!

Annet is our girly-girl with a sweet personality – bring on the pink and pretty! She loves playing with dolls and dressing up, our fashionista lets the Aunties and other kids know if we are “looking smart (well dressed)” or not! Annet likes going to our local school, Little Rina that she attends for a few hours each morning where she is learning her ABC’s, numbers and colors. With her quick smile and sensitive heart, she loves to help the other kids and aunties with whatever arises each day - picking up the towels, putting away laundry, sweeping the floor, bringing water to sweaty kids or comforting sick or injured friends!  She is very bright and a quick learner, asking questions and curious about life! She always wants to shade (color), and just like her art work she brings joy and color to our family here!

History
Both of Annet’s parents died of HIV/AIDS and a neighbor had taken her in temporarily but was unable to care for her. She came to us severely malnourished and in desperate need of a loving family and home. She was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Annet is NO longer one of these children because she is now part of our Rafiki Family where she receives all the love and care she needs!



Funky Facts!
Favorite things…  
 Color: Yellow    Animal: Zebra 
Food: Chicken and Rice    Game: Tag  Activity: Dancing & drawing


Volunteer Corner
I love the way the way that Annett throws back her head when she laughs. Its like she can’t keep the joy inside, she just has to express it with her whole body. With such a sensitive heart, she’s usually the first one to laugh when something funny happens but also the first to be upset when she senses something is wrong. Sometimes I look at her and catch myself laughing and shaking my head at her silliness, she gets so much joy out of bringing joy to others! And sometimes I feel a crack in my heart when the big crocodile tears slide down her face because something has upset her…
     I love our good night ritual where she runs and jumps into my arms and then pretends to fall asleep (complete with obnoxious but very authentic snoring attempts!) and I have to carry her in and put her in her bed. She likes putting her nose right under my ear and snuggling in and then she whispers “Okwagala nnyo (I love you very much)” right before I plop her in her bed… How I treasure her whispers of love, spontaneous hugs and infectious laughter… How my heart aches over her crocodile tears or moments of being withdrawn.   
    Sometimes I forget what a testament of redemption her life is, just in her first few years. Even in the missing answers we have of her past, I can clearly see how the Lord has protected her life and heart, how He has set aside her for something important in the future. I feel so blessed that I get to see glimpses of how the Lord provides and how deeply He cares for us through Annett’s life. I'm so excited to see how He grows her into a women after His own heart!

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  For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 
Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. 
Make a difference. 
Spread the word.

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