The Central African Republic has struggled to maintain stability since its independence from France in 1960. With a crumbling infrastructure, an economy in ruin, and almost nonexistent education and healthcare systems, the country continues to be one of the least developed countries on Earth. Since twenty-five percent of the population has AIDS, the life expectancy stays around a low 45 years. Numerous parents die from the disease, leaving their children orphaned and helpless.

VisionTrust supports over 700 orphans in 12 different learning centers. The Learning Centers provide these orphans with discipleship, education, tutoring, food and medical care. They also ensure that the children have a place to live and help to provide basic nourishment.

A Girls Dreams

What were your dreams at the age of sixteen?

I first met sixteen-year-old Lesly while visiting our program in Bangui, Central African Republic in late 2008. She was tall, slim and quiet. As one of the older children in the orphan care program, all of the younger children looked up to her. When I asked her if she had a dream for her future, she didn’t hesitate. With a big smile she said, “I want to be a nurse and deliver babies!” Her eyes sparkled. Realistically however, the foster family that took Lesly in after her parents died of AIDS couldn’t do much to help her realize her dream.

Then a miracle happened.

A family in the US lovingly chose to sponsor her. This allowed Lesly the security of health care, public education, clothing, and nutritional support. When her sponsor family found out about her nursing dream they began making additional donations for private school to prepare Lesly for college.

Lesly’s life has been drastically changed by the generosity and love of a family halfway around the world. In turn, this family gets to share in the joy of every one of her accomplishments. Praise God for orchestrating the collision of these two worlds, so that the Central African Republic might be blessed with another much-needed nurse.