Orphans’ Gifts
Orphan children in Gambella are learning a sense of responsibility to their community and they are required to give something back to the community upon graduation. For example, one student, now a professor at the community college, gave his first month’s salary back to the church when he first started at the college. In his words: “Without the support of PIA and the local church he would not have had the opportunity to be in the career he has now.”
- Extended family will typically care for orphaned children. A group of the care takers came to EGBS’s compound to meet with PIA and share their experiences.
- Individual children who had been sponsored by past donors through PIA have now gone without assistance for two years, leaving the children in a difficult place.
- In the meantime many substituted income by collecting firewood for the market. Raising just enough for a meal a day or to buy minimal school supplies.
- A big part of PIA’s recent effort to reorganize and make this trip to Gambella was to agree with EGBS on a way to rectify the gap in reporting and accountability that caused donors to stop sending assistance to the children.
- PIA also met with the orphaned children during this trip and we are committed to finding new donors to again help the children with their food and school necessities.
- This child known as Gogo is sponsored by PIA’s one remaining orphan donor. On this trip we delivered $350.00 to Gogo. These funds will cover her expenses for a school uniform and supplies; vegetarian and grain diet, some basic medical and clothing expenses; and some money to help the family as a whole.
- PIA’s President (near) Okello Obang, Retired Pastor (mid) Akway Ochuto is now working with the orphan children providing coaching and counseling on schooling and how to grow in a spiritual way with God as a leader in their lives. Field Assistant (end) John Okuch meets regularly with the orphans and their families to make sure that the funds provided are being allocated in an efficient, productive and beneficial way.