Barbara’s Story
Terrie Robinson sat down with Barbara to hear her Village of Hope story. The following is a transcription of their interview.
Barbara was one of the first children in the VOH program. She lived in the “safe house” with 18 other orphans waiting for the first Village to open. She’s now a secondary school teacher at Village of Hope and a role model for the students there. We sat down with Barbara to hear her Village of Hope story.
Why did you decide to become a teacher? Because I wanted encourage the children who were still behind me and for them see themselves in my story so they would work very hard at school and become someone someday.
What do you think your life would have been like if Mama Rose hadn’t brought you to Village of Hope? I really can’t imagine how my life would have been, but I think it would have been bad. Maybe by now I would have gotten married as a girl or maybe I could have been killed.
We are so thankful that God picked you through Mama Rose. So tell us, besides the education you received, what other things do you feel that you received through VOH that helped you in your life and to become a teacher? Aside from the education I received a loving mama through Rose who embraced us every morning. I got shelter, I had a house to sleep, clothes to wear, food to eat, you know? You can’t do hard work unless you’ve eaten something. It gives us energy.
Was the counseling you received helpful? The counselors helped me not to give up with things became hard.
Who is your role model? Mama Rose.
What would you like to say to your sponsor and all the people who helped make Village of Hope possible through their gifts? I want to say thank you. Thank you very much to Mama Amy and Papa Drew for their generosity, for their love, for their sacrifices that they made. And to all our sponsors out there for supporting each and every one of us thank you very much may God bless them
What advice do you have for the children who are still struggling through? I would encourage them to work it out because life is a lot of struggles. Work hard, be focused and disciplined. I would encourage them to not give up because there is Hope in everything as long as you’re focused; as long as you’re disciplined, as long as you have Jesus at the center of everything, you can always overcome your situation.