At four years old, Lebo is a bright and beautiful child despite her circumstances. Her father abandoned the family years ago and Lebo is the youngest of her siblings. Unfortunately, as the youngest, she is often overlooked even by her mother. When Lebo first started coming to the care center for food, volunteers consistently found her hungry and dirty. Her mother wasn’t feeding or bathing her and the four-year-old was allowed to walk around the community unsupervised, which is how volunteers found her.
Pinkie, a volunteer at the care center, now watches Lebo during the day and makes regular home visits to talk to her family. HIV+, Lebo is often sick and volunteers are trying to make sure she is given proper care. Three times a week, she is sent home with a basket of food to share with her family and volunteers now tell me the situation at home has drastically improved.
Photos by Jen Price
