Manglo has a vision for the future

By Tim Allan |

Like many 17-year-olds, Manglo has a great vision for her future. She longs to study and to see more of the world, to grow up and forge a fulfilled life. But Manglo was blinded at the age of eight and brought up in grinding poverty by a family who neglected her.

That she has any hope of a future is testimony to her God-given indomitable spirit and the work of the staff at SIM’s Urban Poor Development project. “When we met Manglo, we couldn’t help but marvel,” said one worker. “She simply refused to give in to the relentless tide of negativity and hopelessness surrounding her. It was a battle she fought day after day, month after month and year after year.”

Manglo was blinded when she fell from a second-storey terrace, but when the project pastor and his staff made contact with her nine years later, her spirit and optimism were still intact. With no trace of bitterness, she told them: “People gave me a lot of advice but no one was willing to go with me. I hope I can study and see the world again.”

The project network pastor and staff longed to show the love of Christ to Manglo by helping her. After weeks of phone calls and visits, they found a local training and rehabilitation centre especially for visually impaired women. She’s been there a few months but took time off over the summer to visit her family.

Manglo says, “It was not easy to settle in but after a few days I made some friends. I have also learnt basket-making, sewing, cooking and kneading dough. I can’t wait to get back!”

In our finite existence and brokenness, we continue to find hope and meaning in a God of infinite hope. Manglo may not yet know Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, but the door to salvation has been opened.