But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;you consider their grief and take it in hand.The victims commit themselves to you;you are the helper of the fatherless. Psalm 10:14

Edita Orinda, quick with a smile, is a favorite among Mawewa School teachers and staff. She is a young woman full of life, fun, and creativity – ideal characteristics for a teacher of 3-4-year-old students in the Pre-Primary 1 Class. She has endured many tragic twists and turns during her 22 years, giving her great compassion for youngsters living in difficult home situations. It is our privilege to share a part of her story with you.Edita never met her father – her mother was his fifth wife, and he moved on soon after she was born. At a young age, she went to her grandmother’s home, where she was raised in peace for a time. A few years later, her sick mother and baby sister moved in with them, and Edita, still a child, dropped out of school and became a caregiver.Two years later, Edita and her sister went to live with their aunt. She happily returned to school until her sister entered the hospital in ill health. Because there was no money to pay the bill, the hospital refused to release the child. Once again, Edita dropped out of school and moved onto the hospital ward to be with her sister. Five months later a well-wisher paid the bill, and the girls were released back into their aunt’s custody. Once again, Edita returned to school.In late 2007, her mother died just days before Edita’s KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exam. Nevertheless, she passed her exam, making her eligible for High School – it was a bittersweet moment. Soon after, her five other siblings moved into her aunt’s home. The burden proved too crushing for the aunt, and one Sunday, when the children returned from church, they found all their belongings sitting outside.A Good Samaritan in the same neighborhood took in the children. Life was difficult in a one-room home, which now housed 11 people. Some of them were forced to sleep sitting up because there was limited room to stretch out. Her older stepsister worked in a restaurant and brought home scraps to help feed the 11 hungry mouths. There was never enough for a full meal, but adequate to keep them alive.Though life was crushing, Edita never lost her hope or faith in God. He saw her affliction, considered her grief, and intervened as the helper of the fatherless.We invite you to join us next week as we continue the story of Edita Orinda.