Red Hill Children

Red Hill Children
A week ago, the children from the informal settlement of Red Hill faced a school bus crisis. There were too many of them to fit into the available school transport. Because of their situation there is no local school so they have to be taken to school as many as ten or more miles away. They get up early and trek down the hillside and then walk about 15 Min's to get the bus. They did this one morning only to find there was no room on the bus. While the school district was working to solve the problem, the children swung into action. They held a concert to raise money to help pay for the taxis until the school board fixed the problem.On Friday night I joined a few other people and was charmed and thrilled by the singing and dancing of these. Red Hill is aptly described as a hill full of red dirt occupied by squatters who have come from other parts of the country looking for a better life. They have one of the most scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean appreciated by few because they need toilets and running water and every thing else. I recall my first visit there in 2005 with Sandy Haegert the Living Hope nurse. Since then I have written about the fires there and the homes rebuilt by All Nations. For years now Living Hope has run a thriving after school children's club and we have trained one woman in our sewing program and hope to add some more. As I looked at the kids who sang and danced as if their lives depended on it, I was encouraged to believe they will have a better future than their present circumstances now seem to deny and I thank God for all of the volunteers who bring hope and health and purpose to the lives of these youngsters.