A Leader Worth Following

     This post is dedicated to one of our good friends. She has endured great hardships, but has always kept her integrity and her smile throughout. We are going to tell you of Sarah Ndera, a fifteen year old who is now a part of the City of Hope.

   Sarah’s parents both died when she was young, likely due to HIV. She and her younger brother were sent to live with her grandmother. Because her grandmother was unable, Sarah did the cooking, cleaning and other chores. She was responsible for the entire household. 

    One of our City of Hope staff was traveling and saw two children walking alone on a deserted road. She stopped and asked them what they were doing.  Sarah answered that she was going to another town that was about 20 kilometers away.  Though it is a great distance for a child to travel alone, Sarah said she needed to go and buy shoes for her brother. Everyone else in their extended family was getting something for Christmas, and Sarah wanted her brother to have shoes.  She had sold a chicken to her aunt (who only gave her half price) to have enough money.

When her family was contacted, Sarah’s story was verified. It was realized that Sarah had been mistreated in the household because, unlike her cousins, she had no parents to stand-in for her or help her and her brother.

   Teamwork City of Hope has given Sarah a chance to write a new chapter. As one of the older children, she has naturally taken up responsibility. She takes care of all the children just as she does her little brother. Sarah is a member of the student council at the COH. This gives her a voice in making decision concerning the other children. Sarah is a member and lead singer in the children's choir.


   Sarah has an outgoing, playful personality. She is one of the kids we connected to the quickest. Right from the beginning, she would tease and joke with us though we hardly knew each other. She is always smiling and it makes us give one in return! 



 Every since we knew her Sarah as wanted to become a seamstress. She has always been interested in learning how to sow the children's uniforms. This summer she was given the opportunity to follow her dreams. The City of Hope is supporting her attend a school to learn how to sew. 

   Sarah Ndera is a constant reminder to us of why we are helping. She was already a charismatic, natural leader, with great intentions. She just needed a little help. In return she inspiring those younger then her to make a difference.