A sad Story

Harisen writes:

John,
I went to see Mama Ester and Rodgers.
I bought them a radio on Friday and didn't meet them
Regards
Harisen.

Mary has written their story:
Rodgers is a mentally and physically challenged, nine year old boy, unable to speak or walk. His mother died shortly after his birth. His father had huge difficulty taking care of him, as he suffered from acute addiction problems. Neighbors helped, but truthfully Rodgers was alone for far too much time and was unkempt and starving.
His first rescue came on June 13, 2006 when he was taken to St John of God?s Child Development Centre in Mzuzu by his father. Sadly his father ?grew tired? of carrying Rodgers on his back to school and by Sept 8 he was missing again.
Many visits from Jimmy (Child Development Rehabilitation worker in SJOG) and ongoing investigations and ?chases? failed to find a suitable home for Rodgers. He was caught in a ?catch 22? scenario; he wasn?t an orphan and because he was mentally and physically challenged, he wasn?t eligible for placement in an orphanage.
Halloween 2006, Rodgers exchanged places with Cinderella; the miracle happened. The morning must have been like every other morning, he awoke, crawled out and searched in the mud for scraps
and maybe competed with the dog.
But Jimmy had convinced ?an angel? from the Rafiki Foundation in Mzuzu to visit the little boy. When she caught her first glimpse of him, she didn?t stop to think or ask politically correct questions. Soon he was wrapped in a blanket, placed on Jimmy?s knees and they were on their way to St John of God?s.
Judith was on duty and soon he was enjoying a warm bath, new clothes and a big bowl of pala, a nutritious, vitamin added porridge, from his wheel chair throne.
Negotiations went on all day. Rodgers was unaware, but many of us prayed hard. By evening Rodgers was on his way to Berthas home. (Bertha works for the Rafiki Foundation and was an angel of mercy to many orphans already). Mama Ethel became Rodger?s new Mama and was to become his full time carer. She would accompany him to school in SJOG every day and take care of his every need.
The ?miracle? continues today. Rodgers can now say ?Mama?, smiles all the time, blows bubbles, walks with a stick and still loves his food. He loves his Mama Ethel and she loves him.
It was my privilege to buy him his first school uniform and shoes. I also became his sponsor.