Sin, Tragedy and Crisis for the Pumulo Family
These boys 
are
the Pumulo twins. They were born on Friday, June 7th in Mongu, Zambia to
Nambuwa Pumulo. Unfortunately, she died soon after giving birth. She
was 20 years old. She was unmarried, but was looking after a household of
six. In addition to herself, there was her firstborn son, Mubita, her
elderly mother, her young brother, a nephew and a niece.
Upon her death, the responsibility for the children fell
to her mother. This
is her mother, Muliunda. She does not know how old she is, but we estimate
that she is in her mid sixties. She is not in good health. 
She told
us that she has had several husbands, but they have all died. The
grandfather to these twins died in 1998. To make a living she roasts and
sells peanuts. Most people who do this are lucky to make $20 per
month. It is the kind of thing that kids do for extra money. It will
hardly be enough for her to eat something. There is no way that it will be
enough for this family.
Then there is the issue of the care. If this lady
goes out to sell her groundnuts the twins will be neglected and will get sick
and die. If she stays around to help the twins, she will have no income
and she will die. 
Also, there is the issue of of Mubita. He doesn't say much but tells us all we need to know about the household. He is three and talks well but is too weak to walk. His belly is swollen to twice its normal size from malnutrition, but his buttocks are so small from lack of good food he can't keep trousers on. He has very little future in this situation.
These are the kind of kids which Kids Alive helps. The Lilato home can make a difference in the lives of these children just like it has in the lives of others. See Kids Alive Saves Lives and Lisulo Family History. For the Lilato home to take in these three children, they need additional sponsorship of at least $225 per month. The Lilato home is currently overstrained financially and cannot accept these children without additional financial help. if you feel you are able to help you can do so through Kids Alive International. Please be sure to mention it is for the Lilato Home, Mongu, Zambia. If you need more information, you can email me directly in Zambia at clhart@gomissions.org or call me at 011-260-7-221955. May God bless you!
June 17
Unfortunately, today, Matthew Pumulo (the first born twin), died in the hospital from pneumonia brought on by negligent care. Matthew is pictured at the top right of this page. His brother Mark remains in the hospital suffering from dehydration and malnourishment.
Dunamites:
The prayer request I sent to class told of four children in dire consequence. I contacted you as soon as I got the messages and just verified them today. It seems the story about the twins was correct and we didn't know about their big brother. The other two cases I emailed about turned out to be the same story told from two different points of view. Both were correct and the child was in a bad situation. But the neighbors jumped in and took the baby to the Catholic orphanage which is about 125 miles from here. He was accepted there, so he will be fine. That just leaves the Pumulo boys.