Helena: A Quiet Kindness

by Lydia Schaeffer - TOA Director

March 2010 marks three years since we welcomed the first children to Treasures of Africa Children’s Home. There were five children that came to live here in March of 2007. One of those children was Helena. She came with her younger sister, Glory. Over time, the two sisters have become very comfortable living at TOA and have warmly welcomed the other children who have also become a part of the Treasures of Africa family. From the start, Helena was a very quiet girl, but she always demonstrated a special quality that made her stand out. One day, when all the children were home from school and we were having a time of sharing together, I asked all the children to name someone they were thankful for. Every child that spoke, mentioned Helena and how thankful they were for her kindness. I thought it was amazing to note that such a quiet girl could make such an impression on all the other children.

So I began to observe Helena more closely at home. I could not help but notice that she was just as the children had said - always showing special kindness towards someone. She would offer to help another child with the dishes even though it wasn’t her turn to do them. Or she would stop and help the preschoolers put on their shoes. Often she would volunteer to help the cooks in the kitchen or she could be found assisting one of the children who needed help looking for their lost school supplies. The list goes on and on.

The little girl who came to live with us three years ago is not so little anymore. At fourteen, Helena has grown tall and strong. But she is still the one that everyone mentions when I ask who they are thankful for. She has a quiet kindness in her that blesses everyone around her.

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