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Former Orphan Who Tended Goats to Survive Now Attends College

 
An orphan in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Amidu was the last to eat in the various families that took him in. They saw him more as a worker than a family member. So until he was nine years old, he spent his days tending goats—and not in school.
 

by Meredith Sutton, COTN staff writer

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No Longer Hungry, Thanks to You: Henry's Story

By the time he was five, both of Henry’s parents were dead.

by Bethany F. Brengan, COTN Staff Writer

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No Longer “A Go Wreck”: Massah’s Story

Massah explains that without education the Krio phrase “a go wreck” (meaning “becoming a wreck”) would have described her life. “I wouldn’t go further.” Massah says. “I would just stay there, ‘a go wreck’ there.”


Massah was just ten months old when rebels attacked her village in Sierra Leone. Her mother was ill when they fled into the bush, and she died shortly after.

by COTN staff

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If You Believe: Seeing God’s Power in Haiti

 
Cassia Burke, former COTN staff writer, recently took her first trip to Haiti as COTN's Haiti country liaison. While there, she witnessed God at work, and she was kind enough to write down her experience and share it with us.
 

by Cassia Burke, COTN–Haiti Liaison, and Meredith Sutton, COTN Staff Writer

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"A Good Daughter and a Transformer of Nations": Hawa’s Story

When Hawa came to COTN–Sierra Leone at the age of twelve, she was struggling academically and spiritually.

By the time Hawa turned three, she had no father in her life. Her mother struggled to support four children with the meager money she made from petty trading.

by COTN staff

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From Orphan to Fashion Designer: Agnes' Story

“See, I never thought I could become a designer. I thought designing is only for the smartest people; I think now I am one of the smartest people,” says Agnes.

by Ireen Banda and Bethany Brengan, COTN staff

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“I Think This Girl is Going to Change the Future of Uganda”: Monica’s Story

Kristen Marks, COTN’s Uganda liaison, says, “You know those people who you’re just really impressed by, and the more you get to know them and the more you see them in action, the more impressed you are by them? Monica is one of those people for me, but the thing about Monica is she’s a 16-year-old girl.”

by COTN staff

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Patricia's Story: "COTN Has Shown Me How to Love"

 
“Before COTN, my day was not too happy,” Patricia says. She lived in the Shebuma Faluwo Chiefdom in Sierra Leone with her aunt, who couldn’t always afford food or school fees for all the children in her care. When Patricia could go to school, she spent the rest of her day in the market to make money to pay for school. If it was a good day, she could eat two meals. This was her life until she was seven years old. 
 
Then, because of your giving and God’s grace, COTN changed her life. 
 

by COTN staff

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“I Didn’t Know There Was a Word Called Blessing”: Oliver’s Story

Soon, Oliver (pronounced "Olivia") will become one of the first children to graduate from COTN–Uganda. But this almost didn't happen.

Oliver’s father died in 2002 during a rebel attack. Young Oliver lived with her grandmother, but basic survival was difficult.

by COTN staff

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George, Adama, Isaac, and Jebbeh: Four Lives You Are Changing

At first glance, it might not be obvious that Ngolala, Sierra Leone, is an unusual village. As is typical for this area, the villagers live in mud-walled homes with thatched roofs, and chickens peck by doorways.

But if you look a little closer, you will find signs of the lives you’ve changed. Ngolala is part of Children of the Nations’ Village Partnership Program. There's a school at COTN's nearby campus. There’s a bustling Saturday market, selling fish, clothing, eggs, and more.

by COTN staff

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