This evening, together with Glen and Caryn, we visited a school boy. We went to this one room flat. The mother is divorced with 4 kids. The eldest son is 10 years old, the 2nd daughter is 5 years old, the 3rd son is 1 1/2 years old and the 4th son is barely a few months old. Her husband ran away with another woman, abandoning the family.
Her daughter was very endearing and I was touched by her gesture. She asked me to teach her how to read and write 1 - 10. I held her hand writing the numbers. I could tell that she was very keen to learn but her mother had no money to send her to kindergarten. In the deepest depths of my heart, I wished, I could bring her home but later on, I could tell, she was happy with her family, enjoying her play with her two other brothers. Amist the laughter and screams that came from them having fun with a torn sofa, it seems not going to kindergarten was not that bad.
Her mother told us that they are on this pay as you use electricity scheme. When the amount is used up, she will have to top it up. Per night, the usage is about $2.10. To be really honest, I have never heard of such a scheme, especially in affluent Singapore. Perhaps, this group of people has been conveniently tucked away to one part of Singapore and they lived unnoticed, everyday. *sigh*
I have been to East Timor 3x times, I've seen some of the poorest people. Yet in Singapore, it is my first time. I thanked the Lord for this opportunity. My heart is heavy as a result of this visit. It has broaden my heart, that fact is, the poor is within reach, at my doorstep. I don't have to go far to feel, to help, to love.
Before we left, the little girl said, "Besok, datang" which means "come tomorrow"? I felt glad I was wanted back by her. God help me to be a blessing.
Her daughter was very endearing and I was touched by her gesture. She asked me to teach her how to read and write 1 - 10. I held her hand writing the numbers. I could tell that she was very keen to learn but her mother had no money to send her to kindergarten. In the deepest depths of my heart, I wished, I could bring her home but later on, I could tell, she was happy with her family, enjoying her play with her two other brothers. Amist the laughter and screams that came from them having fun with a torn sofa, it seems not going to kindergarten was not that bad.
Her mother told us that they are on this pay as you use electricity scheme. When the amount is used up, she will have to top it up. Per night, the usage is about $2.10. To be really honest, I have never heard of such a scheme, especially in affluent Singapore. Perhaps, this group of people has been conveniently tucked away to one part of Singapore and they lived unnoticed, everyday. *sigh*
I have been to East Timor 3x times, I've seen some of the poorest people. Yet in Singapore, it is my first time. I thanked the Lord for this opportunity. My heart is heavy as a result of this visit. It has broaden my heart, that fact is, the poor is within reach, at my doorstep. I don't have to go far to feel, to help, to love.
Before we left, the little girl said, "Besok, datang" which means "come tomorrow"? I felt glad I was wanted back by her. God help me to be a blessing.
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