Sustaining 50 Reunified Children in Rural Ethiopia

She was found abandoned on the streets, only a few hours old, someone heard the cries and wondered if perhaps it was a kitten. But no a beautiful little baby girl. She was checked at the local hospital and brought to Grace Village, the residential prpject of Abraham's Oasis and was given to her care giver. The caregiver had been a victim of early marriage and obstetric fistula who found a haven at Grace Village and was given children to care for. Baby Rahel was one. 

A serious little baby that did not often cry, looked out with her gentle eyes wondering what was going on. The older children would cuddle her and her carer would carry her on her back when she went about her duties. When Abraham's Oasis started to try and trace and locate family for children based on the government initiative, Rahel was considered but we thought as an abdoned baby it would be too hard. It wasn't family her mother's sister was identified and she was willing to take this very clever little girl who was then seven years old. 

Our psychologist counselled her, her Grace Village siblings were told, they helped her pack her bag and though we were sad because we would miss her, we were also happy for her. She left. The social workers tell us she has settled in, she attends the local school, goes with her aunt to weddings and parties and has joined the community like she had never left. Her host family, her aunt has been given funds for income generation activities to stregthen the whole family and in turn Rahel. The social workers will follow her for schooling and social integration and safety but the dependency for income will cease in order for a more sustainable future that will in turn grant this family unit the dignity that they deserve.