Sunday, December 30, 2007

Starting Over

Zarema (18 years old) has recently become part of the Youth Impact program. She has a sad, but hopeful story. Having no father or mother, Zarema and her two younger sisters moved to Taraz from the village. Zarema’s 16 year old sister was sold into prostitution. The police recently found out and her case has gone to court. The pimp’s lawyer offered Zarema a bribe so she would not testify against him, which she refused. She is wanting to start a new life here in Taraz. Zarema has asked us to help her find a job or get back into school so that she may continue living at the Youth House. During one of our Youth Impact classes, we talked about happiness. Zarema was asked “What will make you happy” and she responded, with tears in her eyes, “To see my little sister who is in the orphanage that I can’t find by myself.” She asked us to help her get there since she knew that we worked with orphanages. We are excited about helping Zarema start a new life here in Taraz.