Why this kindergartner’s tummy is always rumbling
Patience didn't eat breakfast today.
Truth is, Patience never gets to eat breakfast.
But she never lets it get her down.
However, the 5 mile walk to school was even tougher than usual today.
Because it’s Monday.
Which means she hasn't had much to eat since the last time she was at school.
And her rumbling tummy is making it as hard as ever to concentrate.
But Patience is committed to learning.
She has to be.
How else do you muster up the grit and determination that drives you to walk 10 miles a day (half of it on an empty stomach) to attend school?
Because Patience has a dream.
She wants to become a doctor so she can help other people.
But it’s not like the road ahead is paved in gold.
The school she walked 5 miles to get to this morning is literally crumbling as class is in session.
Her class has 120 students…and 1 teacher.
Patience sat on the floor all day to get today's lesson because there aren't enough desks for everyone.
And the ones they do have are falling apart.
When I think about Patience, it weighs heavy on my heart.
This girl is only 5 years old.
I have a 5 year old (Kolton), and I can't imagine him constantly fighting an uphill battle like that.
Walking 5 miles to school every morning on an empty stomach.
Fighting just to get his fair share where it’s nearly impossible to get the attention he needs to actually succeed.
If you have kids, I’m sure you know where I’m coming from.
But here’s the thing.
Patience is one of the lucky ones.
Because public school is not free in Zambia (where she lives.)
Which forces many families to choose between putting food on the table and educating their children.
Can you imagine?
And yet Patience’s family and many others like them have chosen to try and better themselves despite the hardships.
And it’s that type of spirit that really drives Day by De to help these people in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Because things are tough when a majority of the people live on less than $2 a day.
Just put yourself (or your 5 year old) in Patience’s shoes.
It personally makes me shudder to think about my 5 five year old going hungry.
But thanks to some unique partnerships and connections made back in 2009…
We are able to work directly with the schools in Patience's hometown, to implement farming programs that help provide meaningful nutrition to school children (the majority of which are undernourished)!
“Before Day by De came into our lives, we had challenges like paying for children to go to school, and most parents failed to buy food for their homes. But ever since the Day by De Foundation came into our lives, the village has really changed. People are now able to raise some money to buy their own food.”
But there's a deeper level of purpose for this.
Because these children are also able to learn important agriculture skills and basic business knowledge that can help improve their families’ economic futures.
Day by De simply helps these ambitious people in rural Zambia help themselves.
If something you read today struck a nerve with you, and you’d like to transform Patience’s life… and thousands of others as well…
You can make a difference by going HERE.
And your support goes a long way with Day by De.
Because if you didn't already know, none of our US-based staff (including myself and the Board) take salaries, and 95% of all donations go directly to our projects in Rural Zambia (the rest is used for small items like computer and website software needed to run this Foundation).
And just think how far your money goes when your average Zambian lives on less than $2 a day.
Thank you so much for your support!