As the sun rises on a new day in South Sudan, Ghada and her family make a difficult choice — buy food for the day or buy clean water to drink?
Despite both of her parents working, income is limited. If they spend their money on food, someone will have to make the trek to the river to get enough water for the family of six.
And a meal isn’t always guaranteed. There are days when hunger is a constant for Ghada, who sometimes goes full days without anything to eat. Paying for medical care can also be a harsh reality.
Food, water, medicine, or school. No family should have to make this choice.
“Thinking of paying school fees is the difficult part in my life. It would crush all of my dreams if I could not learn,” she said.
Thankfully, Ghada’s school partners with Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding program. Her favorite food that the program serves is rice and beans, especially when they add greens. “My life was miserable just because there was no food, but now I have hope to finish my studies,” she said.
Now properly fueled, Ghada has the energy to complete her schooling. “I am most happy when I am in school,” she said. Her favorite subject is science, and she has hopes of entering the medical field one day. “I want to finish my education all the way from elementary school to university and to become a doctor.”
Ghada, now equipped herself, can share her knowledge with her parents and siblings. “I am learning many things that I can teach my family, like making a garden like we do at school.”
Children like Ghada are not only getting nutritious meals, but a glimpse of a hopeful future to come.
