Samantha Sees Hope

By Nathacha Lucien,
Child Advocate

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear,
but one of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In our last staff meeting, I
realized that this verse really applies to our work, and is particularly true
regarding the life of Samantha*.

After all of the problems Samantha had faced while living with a
lady who had no prior relationship to her, Samantha’s aunt, who lives in
Dominican Republic, came to see her. Only God knows why she chose this time to
visit. Her aunt was so surprised by how Samantha was being treated that she decided
to rent a room for her and said she would try to send Samantha money for the
rest of the school year. Samantha
was very excited by this because it meant she wouldn’t sleep in the backyard
anymore, and she wouldn’t have to do so many chores without having anything to
eat. Additionally, Restavek Freedom would continue to sponsor her education
and give her food each month so she could find the energy to keep going. Samantha
is very responsible and understands that school is the only way for her to
change her life and create a better future for herself, so this change of
events meant a lot.

I can see God’s hand in helping this child find a better way to
live. Samantha’s life shows me that when we do our best to help the most
vulnerable, when we fight for them to live free and better lives, it’s like God
is working through us to make changes in this world.

*Child’s name has been
changed to protect their privacy.