Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery - March 2017 Update

Zambia

Lolo and her foster mother, Ms. Agness Pumulo Nyambe

Lolo has been under the care of Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ) since January 2016. Lolo had been abandoned by her family. A good Samaritan found her and brought her to the police station, where she was transported to the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) by the Child Protection Unit (CPU). The police and DSWO have tried to find her family, but their efforts have been in vain. 

Lolo lives in the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery. When she first came to the home, she was a quiet little girl who often blended into the background because she was so soft spoken. She was respectful to others and a fast learner. She quickly learned how to follow the routines of the home and did not have any trouble adjusting. 

Today, Lolo is no longer the shy, introverted little girl she was a year ago. Her vibrant personality is now evident. She has a warm and loving heart and at just four years old, she already seems to understand the importance of sharing her toys, caring for others, getting along with other children, and respecting her elders. She enjoys group activities like singing and dancing and plays well with other children. She likes interacting with new people although because of her reserved nature, it often takes a while for her to warm up to strangers.

No one has visited or claimed to be connected to Lolo during her time at the home. So, in December 2016, Lolo was cleared and matched to a foster mother trained by CACZ, Ms. Agness Pumulo Nyambe. 

Ms. Nyambe is an incredible woman. At the age of two, she contracted polio which left her disabled from the waist down. However, her disability has not held her back. She has overcome many challenges and come out stronger. She did not let her disability stop her from getting a college education, having a career, becoming financially independent, and owning a car, which she personally drives. Ms. Nyambe has a lively, outgoing personality and is not afraid to try new things. Many people with this type of disability become discouraged and negative, but Ms. Nyambe decided early on to be an exception. She is a great role model for anyone who needs to understand the importance of not giving up regardless of the hurdles they pass through. This is an important lesson for vulnerable children to learn. 

Ms. Nyambe’s primary reason for wanting to foster a child is because she loves children very much and does not want to see any child grow up without a family. Ms. Nyambe was raised in a Catholic home for disabled children so she understands firsthand what it means to be raised in a home and the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. She feels that children from vulnerable backgrounds deserve to have support systems even if that system is outside of their biological family

Ms. Nyambe met Lolo in January 2017. Their first interaction was awkward because not only did Lolo not know who Ms. Nyambe was, but she was also the first person Lolo met who walked with crutches. Many things must have been going through Lolo’s mind as she tried to make sense of who this woman was, what she wanted, and why she used “sticks” to walk. However, Lolo was never afraid of Ms. Nyambe. Instead, like the cautious child she is, Lolo said very little and simply tolerated Ms. Nyambe’s smiles and excitement. 

It took a couple of visits for Lolo to finally feel comfortable with Ms. Nyambe. It has now been several months since Lolo and Ms. Nyambe started bonding, and the staff members at Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery have watched their relationship develop into that of a mother and daughter. Ms. Nyambe is getting her home ready for Lolo’s arrival. Like any expectant mother, she has prepared her room, bought her clothes and toys, and is looking for a good school for her to attend. Lolo is also waiting for the day she will finally go home with her mother. 

In 2003 when Bill Bryant dedicated this facility he stated, “Little children are so vulnerable. They need Christ’s love, good care and ultimately a family if they do not have one.” Steve Bryant, Bill and Bette’s son, said at the ten-year anniversary of the home, “This is a place where children come to be found. They come in scared and alone, but with the love of Jesus they are healed and can either go back to their family of origin or are adopted.” 

The Bill and Bette Crisis Nursery has served as a refuge and safe place for vulnerable children for many years. The staff would like to have a dedicated space with a table for the children to eat their meals. This area would help the children learn table manners as well as keep the house tidy. Plans are underway to build such a space, which they will call the Ramada. Please consider supporting this worthy project.

As always, you amaze us with your generosity. This work of saving children’s lives bears fruit. It is the witness of the Gospel and testifies to the Kingdom of God. We cannot do it alone, and so we are grateful for your gifts.

Ebralie Mwizerwa, Projects Coordinator
The Outreach Foundation

Read more about the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery by clicking HERE.

THE NEED
Outreach is seeking $60,000 for the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery to continue its work
in God’s mission.