Haide

Haide

Haide's family has a 12x12 home, that's how we know them.  They live way down the bottom of a hill in Buena Vista.  When visiting them last year in February, Haide had quit school which only started in January.  She was 11 at the time and was frustrated from kids making fun of her but that's all we got.  Gladys (her mom) told us they needed supplies and uniforms. They got some help with all that and Haide went back.  In September we visited them again to let them know we were going to ask people in the US to help with school supplies the next year and see if they would need help again (we knew they would).  This time we learned that Haide will be going into the 5th grade but......she can't read.  Of course this was one of those God appointed moments where we knew we had to help this girl with school.  Otherwise, she doesn't stand a chance at having a better life.  We left that day wondering how she was going to get help and praying that she would.  There is no way she would get any help from the school there.  How is this going to happen?  

Some time passes, our school supply/uniform fundraiser in the States was truly blessed and many kids were going to get help with school.  We asked the family that sponsored Haide's home to sponsor  their supplies/uniforms, we never mentioned the reading issue.  Not only did they send money for the supplies, they sent 3 times what we needed!  This will give Haide the opportunity to go to a small private school here in Magdalena to get the help she needs with reading.  

The school is called Colegio de Memorial Norma De Monroy.  We took Haide, her mom and baby brother there yesterday to get registered.  I could tell she was nervous.  What I thought would be a short registration process turned out to be a longer talk.  The Director came out to see Haide and took her back to a room to see if she really could read (I don't think she believed her) and how much.  While she was there, the assistant asked Gladys if they ever hit Haide or if she is punished for not reading.  She asked if she hugs her kids and loves on them.  Is their home a happy environment - some really blunt questions.  When the Director returned with Haide, some more personal things came out and the questions got more blunt.  It was a little awkward and there were tears but we left knowing this school would be a good place for a young girl who is timid and feels bad about herself for not being able to read.  Turns out, she's 12 and doesn't even know her letters....and she was going to 5th grade.  

Talking with the Assistant Director

The verse for this story is the same as many others:

Ephesians 3:20

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Amen!

In getting an education, the odds are stacked against kids in Buena Vista. There are kids who graduate from 6th grade who can't read and write.  It's baffling to us but there is hope for them!  
Educate BV  is there and doing incredible things to help the students further their education and helping the community.  Check out their website. The Schmidt's and Harman's are doing great things for Buena Vista!