Rixongile came to school today, as she has for the past 6 months. Her mother dropped her off after her father left for work.

They're the lucky ones. Daddy has a job. So many people in squatter camp Dlamini Ext 3 are unemployed. But work presents one complication. Who will look after Rixongile while her dad is out earning a living? And how does Mom retain the little child's interest for the whole day?

The day care center in Dlamini is a school for Rixongile and about 15 other pre-schoolers who are hosted during business hours by some dedicated staff under the leadership of Pastor Johannes Mabunda. Working parents pay a minimal amount to care for children like Rixongile during the day. These kids play in secure conditions and are attended to by teachers who give them informal lessons, supervise their play and afternoon sleep, and feed them a balanced meal.

But what about the children whose parents do not work? Can they benefit from this day care as well? Gifts from social-conscious members of the community, corporations, and Christian partners help support these children too; their plight being even more serious than Rixongile's.

In Dlamini and other squatter camps like it, many families may consist of a 'gogo' (grandmother) and her adopted children. Miemie is one such person; She is the head of a household because her only son and his wife died from the ravages of AIDS. Her grandson and another orphan, her deceased niece's daughter, have taken up residence with Miemie - - as well as three other orphans from another family! The Day Care Center provides a much-needed service for the children of such families. The Center also serves soup to members of the community, including gogos and single parents.

Dlamini is fortunate to have caring sponsors, dedicated teachers, and a center donated by gifts from the partners of CBN and Operation Blessing. Other townships and informal settlements desperately need the same kind of help.

The challenge is enormous, but thanks to Operation Blessing partners, the road to fulfilment is widening every day.

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