*Miss Elizabeth*

One of the things that has brought me so much joy the past few weeks is getting to know Elizabeth better. She is one of the girls living at the NEEMA house and I first met her last summer when I brought a team here. I remember feeling like Elizabeth never seemed really happy. There was such a sadness about her. Every now and then we could get her to smile, but it felt like she would force it on our behalf, when we would ask her to smile. Elizabeth came to NEEMA after living with her grandmother for a few years. She was not doing well in school and was being made fun of, so she would skip school. There are not many opportunities available for girls like that. Some become child brides, others become street girls, some become house help. Her grandmother asked Transformed International if they could help her, so when a spot opened up, they brought Elizabeth into the house.

Well, this time around, I felt like I met an entirely new girl. I think Eliza has been in the home for almost 1 year. She is a complete joy. She laughed, and smiled, and would walk to the door to greet me, she would try to use english as often as possible to speak to me.....it was awesome. She has been working so hard and has become excellent at using the sewing machine and making clothing and bags. I am SO PROUD of her and the hard-working young lady she has become.

It is so cool to get to see these lives change over time. I love to see the hope that they have when presented with an opportunity for a different future....a brighter future. AHHHHH......I just love being a part of this work!