Three Girls Orphaned by Tragedy

A few months ago, I met three amazing girls orphaned by tragedy. The middle child’s father shot the mother in the head in front of her three daughters. That moment is ingrained in the mind of the oldest child who at the time was only 5-years-old. Now 11, she recalls vividly and in detail the moment she saw that monster kill their mother. 

The past six years the girls have lived from pillar to post in some deplorable conditions, sleeping on floors, sofas and finally the three together on a twin bed in a relative’s crowded home. No one claimed them. No one was sincerely responsible for them. There was no legal guardian.

Their social security numbers were sold, so the seller could buy drugs and the recipient could claim them on her taxes so she could pay fewer yearly taxes. The recipient also received all the Covid stimulus money for three girls plus food stamps. And, nothing was shared with the girls. Not one cent. Not one slice of bread. 

My dear, young, 28-year-old single friend with no husband or children of her own, a University of Maryland college graduate with a planned MBA next spring, was a dear friend of the three girl’s mother. She would often visit the girls and take them out for food, clothing, dinner or ice cream. Often the children’s new clothing was stolen and sold. The girls always cried when they had to part from my friend. They cried and pleaded to go home with her.

One day, this past March 2021, my friend was overwhelmed with sadness when it came time to say goodbye to the girls. The girls cried. One child was hysterical and had to be consoled.

The next day my 28-year-old friend went to where the girls spent the night and picked them up with a promise to care for them. How she would manage she didn’t really know at the time, but she just had to take them with her.  They were happily released to her care.  

Shortly after, my friend rented a larger dwelling with three bedrooms and purchased beds for all the girls.  So much they had to be taught – how to properly bath daily and not take quick, scanty washups. She stopped the daily junk food meals and provided nutritious foods. She treated their hair which was matted, bald in spots and thinned around the edges. She got them to school daily. The youngest child, 6-years-old had never been to school. My friend enrolled her.  

 

My 28-year-old single friend is struggling but determined to give these girls a better life. The Georgia government nor Federal Government is currently of no help, just a bunch of rigamarole. The government actually wanted to separate the girls, and put them in foster care. My friend adamantly refused.She has talked with lawyers and social workers and judges and many many others to get help. The system in Georgia is so disturbingly flawed and seemingly disinterested in helping these poor children. My friend struggles every day to keep them together as a family.

They need learning toys and educational games because each of them is learning deficient.

The funds will cover food, clothing, etc. If more is donated it will be used for past, current, and coming expenses. It is evident that each child needs an educational tutor and emotional therapy to deal with their trauma. 

Give what you can. Any amount will help.  I assure you, you will be blessed.“…for God loves a cheerful giver”.