Since this semester began, I have had one particular woman on my heart. Her name is Gloria, and she is the mother of a young boy named Wawa. I met Wawa through the after school program at Ithemba. He is only eight years old, but he has quite the story.

I ran into Gloria on Saturday at her home in the township of Tokoyo Sexwale. Gloria came up to me begging me to help her. Apparently she had spent what money she had left buying Wawa a pair of school shoes. The school that Wawa attends requires them to have a standard uniform and shoes. Gloria ran to me, demanding me to help her. She had bought Wawa the wrong size of shoes, and she no longer had the receipt to return them and get a size bigger. Nor did she have anymore money to buy another pair. After hearing her problem, and trying to calm her down, I told her that I would be back on Monday to see what I could do.

When I arrived at Gloria's home Monday, she came running out of her house, ecstatic to see me. I asked her if she was able to walk into town with me to buy Wawa a new pair of shoes; she said yes, and she went to get Wawa. Wawa grabbed my hand, and the three of us started the walk into town.

We walked into town and I helped Gloria buy Wawa a pair of school shoes that would fit him. Once we got in the store, she was stressing out about the shoes, making it quite an ordeal just to buy them. I was really relieved to be back outside and to have purchased the shoes. As we were walking home, I got the opportunity to talk to Gloria about her and Wawa's life.

Gloria proceeded on to tell me about the hard times and the struggles they have faced in their lives. I found out that Gloaria does not feed Wawa, that somedays the only food he gets is at the after school program Ithemba offers. I offered to buy some groceries for them, so that Wawa would be able to eat, and she gladly accepted. We went into a little market, and got them groceries.

Her reaction to me trying to bless her and Wawa was not what I expected. She was very ungrateful and she made comments about me buying electricity and more things. It hurt that she wasn't appreciative. I know that there is something deeper going on in her heart. Please pray for this woman, Gloria. I yearn to get to know her more, and learn her heart.

Please pray for Gloria, and her eight year old son Wawa.