You have heard the expression, “Children raising children”. In American culture, it can refer to a young unwed mother giving birth before graduating from high-school. Sometimes it is an older sibling daily caring for a younger sibling while a single parent is at work. In Ethiopia, it can mean an older sibling caring for a younger sibling because the parents and grandparents are dead. Imagine your life, if at the age of 9 or 10 you were left with no adult relatives and the responsibility of a three year old brother to support. Imagine if the keep-me-hangin’-on was not just a ride along a rough path, as in this picture, but to life itself. It gives another perspective to the phrase, he aint heavy, he’s my brother. LSM’s work includes sharing hope with hearts for kids in this same situation.
Definitely true, many Ethiopian children faces this challenge in the early age! Oh May God visit our land, our nations!