ndow. Outside, the yard was alive with tiny footsteps and sleepy murmurs. Children were waking, rubbing sleep fro

he stared for a moment at the frayed hem-another small sign of sacrifice. Her knees ac

teeth?" she called out, her voic

himwemwe had toothpaste

dge. Her eyes looked tired, her hair loosely tie

a Sarafina said gently, notic

glancing toward the youngest ones. "Some

oday, we laugh extra hard. So

ched at sudden sounds; others had begun to smile more openly. Mama Sarafina knelt beside little Ruth, who

er the garden," she whisper

wly, then gave t

d her how to tip it slowly. The girl's hands trembled, but she focused. And when a bird flew by

door. It was James, a local man with t

oes I promised," he sai

beamed. "You

"I never for

o still helped, even when others whispered that she was "meddling with other peop

ee. Mama Sarafina sat weaving mats with two girls by her side, humming an old lullab

t the gate with a child on her hip. The boy had

out tears. "His father's gone. I can't

ed her dress with trembling fingers. She felt

ed, "You're

up of weak tea in her hand, eyes tracing the flames. Her heart felt like a cracked

f, "If I have enough love for on