Story about a child - Joy

With Hands advent they ask me to share a story about a child i know. I thought that would be a nice way to put another blog and tell you about my little friend Joy*
One of the most memorable children i've met during my time in Africa is Joy*. 
Joy is a small and very cute girl. I remember the first time I saw her. We just came walking from her house, while she was walking towards it. She had a backpack strapped around her shoulders and caried it proudly. The careworker Diane* said that the girl walking there was the youngest of the three children living in the house. Two of my teammates immediatly approched her. When i walked up i could see she was a little overwelmed by all the attention. Although i think she enjoyed it too.
She lives with her two older siblings, older still means that they're children in this case. They basically live alone in a small house. The reason for this is that their mother is looking for a job/ or working far away. She works with her youngest strapped on her back, a baby she couldnt/didnt leave behind. The neighbors make sure the children have something to eat now and then. As long as they have enough, which isnt often because of the drought. We went on a home visit and cleared up the house by organising it and cleaning up. 
Its terrible to imagine these small children sleep alone in the dark. It must be terrifing for them at times. Its dangerous too. They have to live on their own. Im so glad they are blessed with the people of Hands looking after them. Giving them the opportunity to go to school and have at least one meal a day. They also give attention to them which their mother cant give them. 
Later that day we saw the girls again at the care point. Playing carelessly; a wonderful sight. Joy became my friend and we played together the rest of the afternoon. She had the greatest laugh. At the end of the afternoon she even fell asleep in my arms. Thats the greatest feeling: that someone feels so safe with you that they can sleep without a care in the world. She was probably tired from the day at school and all the playing. 
I hope the people at Hands will continue to care for her and her family, that she may be a wonderful and smart and most importantly happy girl <3