Ficlets

Sponsor A Child (P.S.- this is a fictional story. Aya is not a real person)

Hello. My name is Aya. I live in Zambia. Today my mom and I walk six miles to get clean water. I would normally be going to school today, but I can’t go this week because I will be considered unclean. So, after we bury another person in our village dead from aids, we head off. The march is long and hot. I ponder about how I am the last alive of my brothers and sisters. I saw them all die, and I am scared I will be next. Shuddering even in the 100 + degree weather, we walk on. When we finally get back to our village, we store the little supply of water we could carry in our shack.

Right before we were going to get food, a person entered our shack. After they talked to my mother, they came to me. They carefully explained that a child in the Americas “adopted” me. That means that they will give $30 a month just for me. I feel so special, I want to run and tell all my friends. Today, I was saved. I will never forget this moment. It was the first time that I had hope. For my future, for tomorrow. Thank you.

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