A Day in the Life of a Child at City of Hope!
Each weekday begins early at the City of Hope! By six o’clock every morning, the campus is a hive of activity as the children wash and dress, eat their breakfast, and gladly carry out their chores before preparing their textbooks for a day of study. By eight o’clock they are gathered outside their school, ready for morning devotions. Here, one of the teachers or older students shares some insights from a Bible passage, and the gifted musicians in our band lead a time of worship. The kids sing with all their heart - loudly and joyfully!
The children then head to their classrooms for a busy day of lessons, including Swahili, English, mathematics, and science. There are a couple of short breaks so they can catch their breath and enjoy some lunch or a cup of African-style tea - but studying in Tanzania is intense, and these kids are committed to working hard and achieving the best possible grades. And our teachers are just as committed to each student - supporting and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
There is time to relax after school, though. Some of the kids enjoy the opportunity to rest or play games with their friends. Soccer is a popular sport in Tanzania, and the competition between the different teams is always fierce but friendly. Joking and laughter can always be heard from the sidelines as the spectators cheer the players on.
As the day winds down, everyone gathers together for supper. Beans and ugali - a stiff maize flour porridge - is the most popular dish among the children. On warm, dry evenings, the children sit around outside to enjoy their food. After supper there’s still much to be done: washing dishes, cleaning clothes and school uniforms (no washing machines here!), or sweeping bedroom floors. And there is always homework and preparation for the next day, too! Later that evening, when the children crawl under mosquito nets and curl up under their sheets and blankets, they are ready for a good night’s sleep!
Five-year-old Priscilla* is incredibly proud to have a brand-new school uniform to wear - thanks to a donation made to last year’s gift catalog!
Living in extreme poverty, Priscilla’s parents struggle to grow enough food on their small plot of land, and on many nights she had known the pain of going to bed hungry. But now that she is enrolled in our primary school, Priscilla’s life has dramatically improved. She not only receives an education in our nursery class, but she has healthy meals, excellent medical care, and she is learning stories from the Bible. Priscilla loves to sing and dance - and she has a beautiful smile!
Such transformation can only be accomplished because of your kindness and support. Thank you!
Be part of the transformation by giving:
SCHOOL UNIFORMS: “I like my red school uniform very much! My teacher showed me how to fold it each evening so that it looks good on me every day!” -Derick, 6
NUTRITIOUS FOOD: “Ugali is my favorite food. I like to eat it every day! I like beans, and meat, and bananas too!” -Evaline, 8
SOCCER BALLS: “I’m a striker and I like to score goals! We have fun when we play soccer together.” -Emmanuel, 15
BIBLES: “Jesus knows me, He loves me, and He has a plan for me!” -Agnes, 12
MOSQUITO NETS: Mosquitos carry deadly malaria. A bed net is an affordable preventative that can last for several years. Help protect our kids from malaria with new bed nets!