Everyone said, “Nothing good comes from Kigoma, Tanzania.” 

Meet Zain

At the age of four, we discovered Zain living across the dirt road from Hope of the Nations Primary School. Malnourished and sleeping most nights outside, Zain hoped one day to attend school. Her mother disappeared right after Zain’s birth.   Being child number twenty-two, attending the free government school in their small village did not seem possible. “Free Government school” meant providing black shoes, notebooks, and uniforms. None of which Zain or her father could afford. 

Hope of the Nations kids club leaders stepped in so Zain could attend HOFN English Medium School. Seeing Zain try on her first pair of school shoes and tuck her tiny arms into the sleeves of her white and black checkered uniform brought tears to all of our eyes. Zain was going to school!

Door to Door

While taking the kinder class door to door, sharing the love of Jesus. I noticed Zain quietly leading the class of twenty students through the neighborhood, singing Jesus loves you. Their short little legs climbed the hills with determination to tell people about Jesus Christ. We stopped at one mud hut where several mamas were sitting outside on mats made of banana leaves. I started a conversation with the woman of the house while the children spread out singing and praying for different teenage girls. At some point, I glanced over my shoulder to check on Zain, and what I saw is a picture in my mind I will never forget. 

Zain sat in the middle of a group of women probably older than her mother. Her small, frail arm stretched across the mat, holding the hand of one of the women. Tears were flowing down Zain’s face; her big brown eyes squeezed tightly shut, she was praying for the mama to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

I knew Zain had a calling on her life, but never imagined where God was taking her next. Here was a four-year-old miracle child with all the clothes she owned wrapped around her shoulders, praying for someone else. Not feeling sorry for herself. Gazing at God and glancing at her own situation. 

A few weeks later, I noticed Zain was not participating in class and was not able to sit for very long. Our HOFN nurse offered to take Zain home and investigate the problem.  Two weeks later I called Adonith, “Where is Zain?”  We miss her smiling face around school. She paused for a moment and then blurred out, “Can we keep her?”  What? Our nurse had gotten Zain the needed life-threatening treatments and set up a bedroom in her home just for Zain.  Adonith and her husband were not able to have children; Zain was an answer to their long-time prayer for a child. 

We needed permission from the family to keep Zain. 

That day Adonith, kids club leaders, Zain, and I visited Zain’s home where she had spent the first four years of life. Garbage scattered outside and the smell of a burning tire filled the air. The mud hut, the size of a 6×8 room, sat between the fire and dirt road. We knocked on the wall next to the worn cloth hanging over the doorway to the front of the house. On the step sat one pair of torn sandals. These must belong to Zain’s dad, who sat inside on a stool made of termite-infested wood.  It was dark inside, the air filled with smoke from the burning charcoal fire inside. Her father was boiling water for tea. 

We explained how Zain had been very sick and how Adnoith helped. The man never raised his head until we asked the one question I thought no father could answer.  

Can we have Zain?  He looked up and said. 

“Take her; I have twenty-some more.”

The tears immediately filled my eyes. I looked at Zain, and she leaned forward to give her daddy a hug goodbye. That was it. The agreement was that Zain would live with Adonith.  The day was a blur. Purchasing clothes, food, and supplies to move into her new home with people who would love her forever. 

Zain graduated from HOFN Primary School at the top of her class and with top National scores, giving her the opportunity to attend High School for free. She grew spiritually, taking on leadership at school in Christian clubs and outreaches. All the while scoring the highest marks in all subjects.  Zain loved learning. 

Today  

Zain graduated from college and has been chosen to become one of Tanzania’s disease specialist doctors. The university chooses three top students from all over Tanzania. Zain is their number one choice. 

When people ask where she studied, she smiles. “A small school in Kigoma. Hope of the Nations.”
Many people believe nothing good comes from Kigoma. God had other plans.

How can you help a child like Zain?

You can sponsor a student at Hope of the Nations Primary School like Zain and bring hope to their life.