GRACIOUS SWAN Update 10/2/26
An Update on Gracious Swan
A sad story from Ghana. Last month the mother of a little girl named Gracious Swan brought her to our friend John. The girl's father had died, and the mother couldn't pay the tuition for her to go to school. She asked if we could help. Despite the shortage of funds right now her story touched our hearts and education is always important. So, we managed to raise the funds and gave the money to her mother so that she could get her education.
A few days later they returned in great sadness. The mother had paid the fees, and little Gracious Swan had gone off happily to school, only to return that day crying. The other children had taunted her because she didn't have the school uniform and she had to leave. Apparently, they have two styles of uniform that they wear on alternate days, and the little girl only had one. So, she hasn't returned to school since.
This may seem like a small thing, but rules are rules and without the proper outfit Gracious Swan is not allowed to attend classes.
Sadly, we have already exceeded our budget for September due to the unexpected illnesses of our little babies this month that required hospitalization and there has simply been no extra money for lesser problems like those of Gracious Swan. Not that they are lesser problems to her, of course. It is vital that our children receive a good education so that they don't wind up on the streets when they get older. But survival comes first and a sick baby is a sick baby.
\We are hoping that we can buy Gracious Swan her school uniform next week but for now there is nothing we can do.
Update- We are happy to report that we were able to send John the funds so that Gracious Swan's mom could buy her school uniform and she will begin attending school within the next day or so. They both still face many challenges but at least now she can work to get her education.
