Wilson's Story

Wilson is eight years old, but lives the life of an adult. Due to the circumstances he was born into, he doesn't get to have a typical childhood a kids should have - playing and carefree. Wilson lives with his Grandma, Mama Remi because his parents don't want him or are unwilling to fight for him. His mom and dad aren't together anymore. They both moved on, married other people and have had more children. There is no place for Wilson. The new spouses don't want him around and his parents aren't able or willing to insist he stays with them. So, Wilson is left to live with his Grandma, who can barely take care of herself. Sadly, Mama Remi's children are able to help her financially, but chose not to. They live in another city and have turned away from her. Needless to say, this breaks her heart. It also leaves her with a lot of stress as she tries to find money for food for herself and Wilson, in addition to one of her sons who lives with her due to illness. He is terminally ill and she is taking care of him. The three of them live in a tiny one room house. Unfortunately, these hardships fall back onto Wilson. He has to step up and help around the house - cooking, cleaning, washing clothes.. he does it all. When he is not at school, he is expected to be at home to help. Some work is ok for a child, but this is too much. Sometimes it builds up to where it is too much for him to take and he runs away from home for a few hours to escape. Possibly to just play with other kids. When he comes home, he knows a caning awaits him - the only way Mama Remi knows how to disciple him.

When we visited them at home, George asked, "why is he always sad?" That is when we got the previous background story. This was another day where he ran off and was caned. Caning is very common in Africa. It is even common place in all schools. Ask any African child if they have been caned at school and you will NEVER find one who says no. Their answer is "Yes! Many times." It is what happened to their parents and grandparents and is perceived as normal. We know there may be times when some physical discipline is necessary, but often it is taken too far. George was able to talk to Mama Remi about alternative methods of discipline and encouraged her to help him have a better childhood, despite her current hard times. Perhaps she could give him a set time to play and just be a kid. It's a sensitive subject because she is doing the best she can, but he is old enough to know his parents are alive and he has been rejected. He needs to feel loved, safe and protected. Fortunately, he comes to church every week and gets to hear about God's love for him.

Wilson's story is far from unique. So many children go through the same thing - rejected by step parents and ultimately sent away by their parents. They are why we are here. They are what motivates us to press on during hard times. Every child deserves love.