Taciane - House 5
Taciane is the only daughter to a couple where both are strong alcoholics, each drinking two bottles of cachaça per day (sugar cane rum – 40% proof). The couple drinks day and night. When drunk they fight, curse, and threaten the girl. She hears all sorts of obscenities and witnesses the two in sexual acts. Often she is put out of the shack to sleep in the woods. Many times when the mother fights with the husband, she is put out along with the daughter.
The shack has no furniture, only a sponge 3 inches thick that is their bed. There is no running water, sewer or electricity. The girl would eat cornhusks for breakfast before going to school. The father did not take baths and the girl did at times when water was available in a basin for this purpose. She states that she likes taking baths and wishes she could have done this more.
There are 7 dogs and 4 cats in this shack. All are sick with skin disorders and other diseases. They could be seen by the social worker eating remains of food in the only pot in the house. Cat and dog feces and urine are everywhere.
She has been taken out of this situation because the parents refused professional help during the last two years. They have been charged with neglect, cruelty and oppression and have lost parental rights to their daughter.
Taciane is a sad girl. She hardly speaks and most of the time nods her head when questioned. She is in grade one. We put her in the fifth home (Tadeu and Deni) at Chain of Love where she is with other girls her age. Two of the others who are 8 and 9 have become quick friends with Taciane. The three of them carried a mattress to the house where they put it on the bunk. For Taciane to have her own sleeping berth is a new experience. After a day she was opening up and speaking more freely. We believe that she will adapt and take advantage of all that she has not had till this day. Pray for her, as we need to treat her for rheumatic fever.
January 2007 Update: Taciane is 8 years old and in 2nd grade. Taciane is new to COL and is just now hearing about Jesus. She is involved in the Christmas cantata, in Pioneer Girls and Sunday School. She is very intelligent and is doing very well in school. She loves to play school, writing on the chalk board. She tries hard at every task. Since she came she is more at ease, smiles more, is making friends and playing lots. Her sadness is melting away. When she came the Social services from her city said that she had rheumatic fever and health problems, but the medical tests we have run all came back clear. She has gained weight and is eating better.
Main Prayer Request: That she would get to know Christ as Saviour and Lord.
2008 Update: Taciane is ten years old and in grade three. She loves to read and hopes to be a teacher some day. At home she cleans the girls’ bedroom floor and the bathroom. In her spare time she often chooses to read. She is a good, cooperative girl who organizes her belongings and her life well. At church she is active in the Sunday School and Girls’ Club. She is developing well in her spiritual life, reading her Bible a great deal and asking whenever she does not understand.
Please pray for Taciane as she fears her visits with her biological parents. She likes to receive letters from them but not to visit. Pray also that her schoolwork will improve.
2009 Update: Taciane is curious and asks questions in class when she does not understand. She is achieving well at her new private school even though the standards are a lot higher. At times she is timid and hesitant to become involved. Please pray for good health, especially with the threat of H1N1.
Birthday: April 10, 1999