At five years old, Nelly has already experienced terrible trauma that a child should never have to experience. Nelly’s mother, Clara, was a successful and educated teacher who had also completed the required training to become a nun in her Catholic faith. Nelly’s father, Joel, was a medical doctor and traveled often. Together, Clara and Joel had three children – Happy, age 10; Anna, age 8 (who is currently living at Calo Me Lare); and Nelly, age 5. When in town, Joel would stay with Clara and the children. During one of these visits in 2010, Joel drugged and then violently murdered Clara in their home. Nelly was in their other room during the attack, but apparently did not hear the struggle.
After Clara’s death, Joel was imprisoned on murder charges and the three children were left on their own. Sadly, when the death occurred, a relative took everything that Clara and her children owned and they were left with nothing to survive on. Even their clothes were taken. Some were sold off and the rest were given to other people. Because Clara was not “traditionally” married to Joel, she had the sole custody of the children and he has no parental rights. Nelly and her sisters were taken to live with their blind grandfather, who was the only relative willing to take care of them. However, there was nothing much that he could do to give them a proper upbringing due to his impairment.
Nelly has never gone to school and the hope of an education became an impossible dream for her after her mother’s death because her grandfather is unable to raise funds for her school fees. Nelly is a very beautiful, brave and intelligent girl. She remembers what happened to her mother that day and is able to speak freely about it as if it happened yesterday. Though she has undergone such pain and suffering, Nelly is still smiling – a testimony to her courage and the grace God has given her.
Now meet the girls of Girly Me Missions…
Girly Me Missions is a group of friends that makes crafts and sells their items at local shows and festivals. They heard the story about Nelly and how she was chosen to live at Calo Me Lare. They also heard of her need to be sponsored, so they jumped at the chance to support her with the money they make from their sales.
Nelly just moved into Calo Me Lare last week and was reunited with her sister, Anna. She now has a safe home with a cozy bed and is provided three meals a day, medical care, an excellent education, and most of all – is receiving love and has hope now for a brighter future. Twelve other orphaned children moved in last week, as well, because of their desperate situations – many of whom are not yet fully sponsored. If your family, church group, business, or organization is interested in sponsoring a child, please go here for more information. The time to help is now as the need is so great. You truly can make a difference in the lives of one of these children half a world away.
(To find out more about Girly Me Missions, please visit their website at girlymemissions.blogspot.com.)