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every minute! In just four months of living here, Lilly has
gone from preschool level reading to first grade level. “Lilly
is way more excited about going to school than any kid I
have ever met. Her thirst for knowledge is unique,” says
Kristi Pierce, Education Coordinator. “Lilly is curious about
everything and loves to read to you. She reads to everyone
in her cottage!”
Lilly and Luke’s Story
On a recent car trip, Lilly and Luke decided to see if they
could count past 100. They got so excited; they were yelling
out the numbers and laughing. Even if they got a little
confused in the 60’s and 70’s, these two called out numbers for the whole car ride! Lilly and Luke love to learn,
and their faces light up when they see our education staff
or their tutors. They get so much enjoyment out of their
new surroundings. “It’s clear they didn’t meet a lot of new
people or have many friends,” says Anna, their tutor. “They
were really isolated before, but now they have this whole
new world!”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son.” John 3:16
Lilly, age 8, and Luke, age 6, had never been to school
when they came to live with us. Luke couldn’t count past
the number 10. Their family had been through so many
moves, so many hotel rooms and shelters, that the kids had
never had the chance to go to school. Their mother wanted
the best for them, but she couldn’t find stability in her own
life, let alone for her children. As things grew worse and it
was clear the children needed to be in school, their uncle
helped the family find Boys and Girls Country.
When Lilly and
Luke arrived
at Boys and
Girls Country
they were so
excited to go to
school and meet
their teachers.
We quickly put
together an
education intervention program
for them and
enrolled them
in extra tutoring
three to four
times a week.
They have loved
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Boys and Girls Country News | Summer 2015
Luke’s progress at school has been typical for a 6 year old.
He wants to do math and really likes his Dr. Seuss flashcards. He is a bundle of energy! He has joined the Awana
club at his church and is memorizing Bible verse John 3:16
for a prize. This verse is fitting to our story since their mother gave her children into our care. Lilly and Luke’s mother
wrote, “All my kids can get from me is my unconditional
love, but that’s not enough to make it in this world. I want
to give them the opportunities I didn’t have. I want them to
have a better chance.”
We are so grateful to Lilly and Luke’s family for their trust
and their deep love for these children. It is amazing to see
how much they have progressed in such a short period of
time. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
To protect the privacy of our children and families, real names
and photos have been changed. However, the story is true.