We’re rescuing child brides, female
genital mutilation victims, orphans
and poverty-stricken children who
are on the verge of giving up. Some of
them thought GOD had forgotten
them. Through the Butterfly Project
they know Christ is there. They have
confidence. We call them Butterfly
Girls because each day they are
transforming. They are all changing
into something beautiful. They are
becoming what God wants them to be,
not what happened to them, which is
why I call them Butterfly Girls.
Faith Heart Magazine: I've read that
many students who seek attendance
at I Can Fly schools range from
orphans, early marriage brides-to-be,
rape victims, physically disabled
girls, etc., are often turned away
because I Can Fly has reached
maximum capacity. Explain to our
readers how vital contributions are in
terms of these students surviving in
East Africa and why it's important
that each of us play an important role
in helping you and your team
continue this important effort.
Sha’ Givens: We have different types
of children at the I Can Fly School.
Everyone here has a story from being
mutilated at the age of ten and
running away to a rescue center to
fourteen-year-olds who lost both
parents to HIV/AIDS and became the
breadwinners in their families. Many
stories are difficult to hear but each
child is resilient. You wouldn’t detect
the level of trauma they’ve endured
unless they told you. They all smile
now.
Faith Heart Magazine l 13
I envision the Body of Christ as
a community. Our community is
based on responding to crisis
and loving people the way
Christ did. It’s what we do. It’s
who we are. It’s simply what
Jesus Christ did and he changed
the world by loving people
where they were. When those
children are turned away, it
literally feels like a part of me
leaves with them. Most times
there is no other option
because our space is limited
and funds are limited. I often
have to shake it off and look at
the children I already have in
my care that need this mission.
I then pray for the ones that
were turned away and ask the
Lord to open another door for
them someplace else. Most
times I never know what
happens to them when they walk
outside our gates, but I trust
GOD knows what to do when I
don’t.
The contributions of donors
keep the doors open at the I
Can Fly School and Butterfly
Houses. Children are learning
and being fed seven day per
week. We have two pre-schools
and a High School for kids ages
13- 17 years old. They’ve never
missed a meal or a class lesson
although we’ve been close. We
live by faith.
"WE LIVE BY FAITH."
-Sha' Givens