There’s a new way to spell “strength”; it goes like this: Y-A-N-E-T-H.
Yaneth, is a single mother of 5 children. She is incredibly determined to provide and protect her children. She is full committed to being resourceful and hardworking in order to provide for the essential needs of her family. She would walk several kms to find corn to make $5. She collects cow manure in bags to sell as fertilizer to farmers. Each large recycled grain bag is $1. She will walk up the steep and rocky path to her home with 30 pounds of water in a container - on her head. She will walk into town if she needs something: about 90 minutes each way.
But these don’t make her strong.
Her father left when she was young. Her husband died unexpectedly five years ago. Around that same time she underwent an emergency c-section during the birth of their youngest daughter. Two years ago her eldest son died in a tragic workplace accident. ( both deaths would be preventable in Canadian health and safety protocols).
Despite so many reasons to be weak, to take the role of the victim, she instead chooses to find strength - divine strength that exudes contentment, grace and resolve. It’s a strength that refuses to be defined by circumstance. It’s a strength that rises above the material poverty of her day to day life. It’s a strength that inspires hope - the very hope we thought we were bringing. Turns out she’s got enough for all of us.
Karen spent some time painting her nails, and those of her two sisters, and two little daughters. The joy and pleasure was unmistakable. Their expressions only enhanced the strength that was already evident.
Yaneth uses quiet walks to find peace from God when life gets challenging. She enjoys telling her girls about the dad they barely knew: how he would work hard, and always wanted to provide for their family. She knows that God being her helper she can be dad and mom to her kids. Her one desire is for them to get a good education. With the provision of a new home, this becomes more possible.
With a Shelter home, people are healthier because they are protected from the dampness. Students attend more school which gives them greater hope for the future.
Thank you for your prayer and contributions to families like Yaneth. Your support is making a strong impact - on all of us.
