Ericka just recently turned 17. Her mother became ill after her delivery and died. A woman in a nearby village cared for her until they could find someone to take her in. By this time, Ericka had a horrible skin infection and cried constantly. We took her in but as she grew we noticed her speech and walk and realized she had problems.

We tried to put her in school, but she did not do well. When she was struggling in fifth grade, we decided to take her out of school due to her speech problems. But, Ericka insisted on going back to school. We give her jobs around the orphanage and she is very good with children. Ericka still says she wants to be a nurse, and she loves Church, singing, and jump rope. She is a sweetie and we love her so much.

Sherry