Don't Run With Scissors...

Have you ever thought about learning to use scissors? Most of us learned in early childhood how to take those blunt-ended slivers of silver with bright plastic handles, and a piece of construction paper, to craft a work of art. We would proudly take this master piece home to our moms to be displayed in a prominent place, probably the refrigerator.  It's a childhood activity we take for granted.

This week while doing Club (VBS style activities) I helped two young girls who had no idea how to use scissors.  The sisters, about 7 and 10 years old, just sat and stared at the construction paper, crayons, and scissors they had been given.  They quickly looked at what the other kids were doing and drew something similar on their papers.  The next step was cutting and both girls were puzzled.  "Can you help me?"  With a little coaching and practice the girls soon got the hang of it.  They happily began cutting multiple scraps of paper and speaking rapidly to each other about their new found skill - using scissors.

This scenario underscores why the need for education among the Roma is so important.  These girls live in the poor section of town where the local school is known to be sub-par.  More than likely their parents do not support them in their education because they see no need for it or because they are consumed with the daily struggle of providing for their family.  The exact reasons for these girls' lack of education is unknown but what is known is that there are many more like them. 

Here Comes the Bride...

Little girls dream of their wedding days and our girls at the Ruth School are no different.  One afternoon at Summer Club we made tissue paper flowers. The girls began asking each other to get married and then "walked down the aisle" with their flowers.  While it was a fun time I was reminded that many of these little girls will marry in their teens and begin having their own children before they are barely out of their own childhoods. The cycle is repeated over and over.  At Project Ruth we encourage education especially with the girls. Through our Afterschool program, Parents' Academy, and Transitional Program we foster a positive environment of dreaming of the future and building the skills to make it happen.

Summer Club Begins

What is your first thought when looking at this picture?  Probably not the story of the friends lowering their lame friend through the roof of the house so he could see Jesus, but that's what it is.

Summer Club has begun at the Ruth School.  Monday through Thursday the students can come for a story, craft, play time, and a snack.  It's a simple formula for teaching the neighborhood children about God's love.  And we're grateful to the Student.GO team through CBF spending the month of July helping us do that.