Luna’s Journey
As the sun rises over the small Nicaraguan village, the roosters crow, and Luna rubs the sleep from her eyes. The early wake-up call means it’s time to walk two miles with Mama to fetch water for today’s chores. She slides her feet into her too-small shoes and grabs her bucket.
By the time they walk home, the air is sticky, and the sun is high in the sky. Luna struggles to keep the water from splashing over the side of her heavy bucket. She walks by girls skipping to school in their uniforms and freshly braided hair while Mama urges her on. Oh, how Luna would love to be running with them!
After water delivery, they hurry to the garbage dump. Today’s goal is just like any other. Find enough recyclables to sell so they can buy food for the day, perhaps a tortilla or mango. It may not fill Luna’s belly, but it takes the edge off her hunger.
That night, Mama lays down beside her, whispering, “Maybe one day, life will be better.” Mama rubs her own belly as the baby moves inside, and Luna knows Mama is thinking about her new sibling, too.
As the sun rises over the small Nicaraguan village, the roosters crow, and Luna rubs the sleep from her eyes. The early wake-up call means it’s time to walk two miles with Mama to fetch water for today’s chores. She slides her feet into her too-small shoes and grabs her bucket.
By the time they walk home, the air is sticky, and the sun is high in the sky. Luna struggles to keep the water from splashing over the side of her heavy bucket. She walks by girls skipping to school in their uniforms and freshly braided hair while Mama urges her on. Oh, how Luna would love to be running with them!
After water delivery, they hurry to the garbage dump. Today’s goal is just like any other. Find enough recyclables to sell so they can buy food for the day, perhaps a tortilla or mango. It may not fill Luna’s belly, but it takes the edge off her hunger.
That night, Mama lays down beside her, whispering, “Maybe one day, life will be better.” Mama rubs her own belly as the baby moves inside, and Luna knows Mama is thinking about her new sibling, too.
How can your gift impact Luna’s journey?
For Luna, a pair of shoes is more than just footwear. Many children in Nicaragua go barefoot because they don’t have shoes that fit, leaving them even more vulnerable to injuries and diseases. In addition to comfort and higher self-esteem, studies show quality shoes can reduce the risk of parasitic diseases by up to 50% for children in poverty. Similarly, access to clean water is vital. Globally, safe water can decrease the incidence of diarrheal diseases by up to 50%, significantly impacting health and education. By providing Luna with durable shoes and access to clean water through our local church partners, these gifts are powerful tools to improve her health and well-being.
Shoes
Luna needed shoes that could withstand the rocky, dirt roads in the dry season and muddy, wet roads in the rainy season. You can provide a child with a quality pair of shoes to protect their feet on the journey to a local church partner.
Provide Clean Water
A safe, accessible water source is hard to find in rural communities. Help children like Luna wash their hands and eat foods prepared with safe water. Your gift will provide water solutions in the form of barrels, filters, or help with larger water projects.
