She had been left
to fend for herself, scavenging food from leftovers that had been carelessly
tossed on the ground. She was only three years old. There are many children who are in need of care. We can't help them all. We are not called to help them all. We were called to help "the one".
Because her
mother worked so sporadically, she was left for long periods of time. This is
not how it should be.
A friend’s
husband saw her and enquired to a villager as to the whereabouts of her parents.
Our friend spoke with the mother and learned her story. “Do you have other children?” our friend
asked. Yes she did. Five other children. Her husband had died leaving her with six little mouths to feed. Sadly, she had given all her children away. She did not want to raise any of her children so the last one had been left to fend for herself!
Our friend
emailed us and sent us photos of this precious little girl.
Oh my! What a 'lost' looking little girl!
She looked so helpless. So tinyl So... lost!
Her name is Chubby.*
As Chubby was ‘at risk’ and the mother didn’t seem to want to care for her, had given away her other
children, we felt this was definitely a child we could help. We don't discount what may have been a difficult decision by the mother.
My husband travelled
back up the mountains with our friends to collect the child. Our friends spoke English, Thai and Hmong so
there were many translations going back and forth all day with the Hmong villagers, our translators and hubby. Very tiring!
Chubby's village is "on top of the world" and overlooked a neighbouring country.
Most Hmong villages are right up on top of a mountain. They are very difficult to get to and are so remote that it is often difficult to get an education or to receive basic medical help.
Her family's kitchen.
Her last meal
in the village was a bowl of boiled rice and water. She sat on the dirt floor
and ate her meal.
Her last meal at home
On the way
home our friend stopped and gave her a quick bath at a roadside service
station. The water was practically black. Once it dried, her matted hair sat
where it had before.
Many hours
later hubby arrived home with Chubby and a nanny bathed her.
They laughed that the water was still so ‘black’ but after her THIRD bath, some shampoo and clean clothes we could start to settle her in to our home.
I was not here when Chubby came into our care. When I returned a week later, one of our other children told Chubby that I would look after her and was the "Mummy" of the home. Chubby grinned, hopped on my knee for a cuddle and had been firmly attached to both of us ever since!
This little
girl has not been back up the mountain to see her family. That is where we are
at now. Our goal is not to keep children from their family. We want them to
know their family and extended family. To know where they are from.
But it is so difficult. We want her to feel safe. To BE safe.
Really never a
more trusting child would you find.
Chubby is
happy more than 95% of the time, loves singing, dancing, dolls, reading,
school, playing and being part of our large, extended family.
Our son with Chubby
Chubby and Coco
A decision
will need to be made in the coming months. Do we allow her to go back to her
village for the school holidays? After all this time?
Such a hard decision. She is so vulnerable. So
precious. But this is her family. Her culture. Her roots.
Pray with us
as we have to make many decisions like this and other decisions that affect the
lives of these wonderful children.
Until next time.
With love from our family to yours.
The Smiddys.
*Name changed to protect her identity
