My friend, Zulfa

My friend Zulfa is sweet, funny, outgoing, compassionate, optomistic and for reasons I cannot understand, happy. Zulfa is 8 years old and has been through more in those 8 years than most of us will go through in our entire lives. She has been traumatized, victimized and treated like no more than dirt found on the bottom of a shoe.

I met Zulfa a couple of weeks ago when I first started working with Golgotha, the school she attends. Zulfa hung out the weekend we were painting the classrooms as well. She told Jason that she loved him! The teachers and volunteers told me that she was normally terrified of men but she was really comfortable with Jason. It was so sweet!

The next week I was invited to take a field trip with the kids from Golgotha to Lake Manyara National Park. One of the volunteers had arranged and paid for all the kids from class 2 and 3 to go. On the first stop when we all got off the bus to see the hippos Zulfa came up to me and took my hand, the way she was smiling at me I already knew whatever she was going to ask I was going to say yes to, she asked me if I would call her up to sit on my lap when we got back on the bus. Of course, I did this immediately when we got back on the bus. How could I resist that sweet smile! Over the next 5 hours Zulfa sat on my lap. She took pictures, the ones above and below, we listened to music, pointed out all the animals, and drew all over my arms. She wrote “I love Aubree” on her arm and “I love Zulfa” on my arm.  About half way through the trip I had decided, and told the other volunteers, that I wanted to be a bigger part of Zulfa’s life than just the occasional visitor. I am in love with this girl!

Zulfa has only one living family member, her mother, Anna. Anna has done what she has had to do to make a living for herself and Zulfa. Unfortunately, this path has been a very traumatizing and dangerous one for both of them. I requested that Anna meet with me the day I was meeting with the widows. She came, much to my delight! I sat and spoke with her for some time trying to figure what Anna wanted to do and how we could help her and Zulfa have a bright future. During the interview Anna told me that she was taking classes to become a tailor before she got sick. I suspect the “sickness” is related to HIV/AIDs, but unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to being diagnosed and Anna has so far refused to get tested.

With your help, I would like to send Anna back to school and take care of her and Zulfa’s basic needs while she is attending school. Anna has one year left of tailoring school and once she finishes WIL will hire her to make our products. It will cost $100 per month for Anna’s tuition, rent and food for her and Zulfa. Anna wants to change her life and make a better future for Zulfa, but Anna has not had the opportunities in life that most of us have. She has no family, no education, and has been on her own for most of her life.

If you would like to sponsor Anna or contribute to her education please email me at walkinlovetanzania@gmail.com and/or use the donate button that is located on our website www.walkinlovetanzania.com and on the blog walkinlovetanzania.blogspot.com. WIL is in the process of registering as an NGO in the USA and all donations are tax exempt for this years taxes.