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Today we started the day with Ladies Day. The women came and gathered. It was very nice to see them so excited being brought together. We had Simon come to talk to the ladies about agriculture who is part of Voice of Hope. Simon emphasized proper farming practices such as using manure to neutralize acidic soil for better harvests. We also discussed with the ladies that parents were reminded to monitor their children’s school attendance and grades. Dr. Isaac also came to speak and warned about the serious health dangers of mercury used in gold mining, which contaminates water and causes long-term damage to the body. Mercury is used in gold mining to separate gold from dirt, but it is often not fully removed. When it rains, mercury is washed into rivers where people collect water. Mercury exposure can cause serious health effects like numb hands and face, anxiety, slurred speech, shaking, hearing and vision problems, and so much more. Mercury stays in the body a long time and if it goes unnoticed it damages the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. While gold and mercury can bring income, the health effects must be carefully considered. The brokers are active in this area, but are exploiting both the people on the land with no care as to the negative consequences. At the end of the ladies day, the alumni received a kettle.
We delivered a wagon to a 5-year-old boy named Raj, the son of one of our widows, to help his mother who normally has to carry him everywhere. This was wonderful to be able to provide a wagon for them. We then split up to visit several widows in their homes. Along our way, we met a young disabled boy being cared for by his 81-year-old great-grandmother after his mother abandoned him. The grandmother works when she can in neighbours gardens but struggles to provide for the two of them. She says she is spiritually strong but physically weak. We ended the day by telling the neighbour kids the story about how God created the world and Daniel and the lions den.
written by Jenna Degraaf
