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Before Bobby was old enough to go to school, he was abandoned under a bridge in a high density shopping area. He was found and cared for by a group of street boys who lived under the bridge. Though these boys had a hard time finding enough food for themselves, they had compassion on this younger boy and took him under their wings. Bobby, too young to go out foraging with them during the day, spent most of his time under the bridge day after day waiting for his friends to come home and give him something to eat.
To ward off hunger and cold, street children find empty glass bottles, like Coke, that have been discarded. They somehow manage to get enough money to buy glue and steal bits of gasoline from parked vehicles. They put this into the bottle and inhale the fumes. It is very dangerous and causes brain damage when used even for a short time. But, they claim it dulls the feelings of being hungry, cold, and lonely. The street boys thought they were being kind to Bobby when they shared their street drugs with him.
One day, Bobby was found wandering on the main road leading into town. He was very wobbly on his small legs and was nearly knocked down by a passerby. The gentleman stopped and soon assessed the situation. He brought Bobby to the Department of Social Welfare who transferred him the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery.
For the first two days Bobby slept most of the time. Even after he began to tentatively play with the other children, he was always looking out the door, or the window, expecting his friends to come for him. It is certain the boys under the bridge missed their “little brother,” but none of them dared asking officials where he might be found. Soon Bobby settled into his new home.
Often Zambian couples visit our homes hoping to find a child to adopt. One such couple bonded very quickly to Bobby. Today he is a strong, happy, and intelligent child with no signs whatsoever of brain damage, the beloved son of a wonderful couple.
Names and photos have been changed to protect the children. The stories are true.
We invite you to provide a safety net of prayer and provision for a child like Bobby.
Bill & Betty Bryant Crisis Nursery
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