Ugh. I had a BIG l-o-n-g blog entry from today.....and in the "pole pole" (poey poley....slow slow) internet, it disappeared! I can't seem to load any more pictures but...maybe one of these days. Anyhow, to paraphrase todays events....the clinic is slow today and Naomi awaits the arrival of her first baby. It too is pole pole! We bought a round of cold "orange fantas and coca colas" for everyone as we melt in the heat. Well, ours were cold, the Tanzanians like them warm.
We spent this morning at a boarding school for some of the areas most disenfranchised children. The disabled, the orphans and kids whose parents can't afford to keep them. Their stories were sad ones. They are all looking for sponsorship to cover costs like school fees, uniforms notebooks, (most of them share), shoes and food. They ranged in age from 2 to 15. Most children born with disabilities are killed when they are born because they are believed to be a curse. Some are rescued by family members or community people. Joanne was won over after providing a wee bit of medical attention to 8yr old Ramadan who was born without arms. Yesterday he was running and fell and scraped his face and head up. 10yr old Violet easily found her way into my heart. She is a Maasai girl who was born with HIV. Her two older siblings (fortunately HIV-) also attend the school. After the death of their parents, from AIDS, the uncles tried to poison and kill the three kids so that they could take over ownership of the small piece of land.
We spent time in all of the 7 classes meeting most of the 205 students. They sang and all welcomed us with smiles and their very best English. Most of the children in the school were orphaned as a result of AIDS.
Last nights visit to the street girls was eventful and a huge shock to us both. They were very shy and distant at first but with the help of Nestory's calm approach and his swahili, they eventually came around and we were able to give them the duffle bag of sanitary pads. They were so happy and one girl who was a bit of a joker happily skipped down the dark packed street singing and distributing them!
Hopefully, I will get some more pictures up here! I have lots!!!
A little of that Tansanian warmth would be appreciated herevthis morning, -15 & sunny.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that baby better show up very soon as you folks will be heading off to join the rest of the group & your final destination before returning home.
Happy sweating!