Monday, 22nd October 2007
Well at least I have stopped crying now.
Today I was anxious to see how Cecelia was feeling. She was down in the breakfast room this morning, right on time for work and she had a different look on her face than she had yesterday. She seemed alot brighter today,
She was ready and very keen to start work. She started work on the gardens around the house and completed her first task very quickly and a great job done.
Some of the other girls spoke to her and asked if she liked it here and she replied 'yes, i like it very very much'
We just went out to check and see how she was going (photo) and she was working away very hard once again. She seems so so much happier just in the 1 day that she has been with us.
The power keeps cutting in and out all the time. Last night we were wthout if for 1 hour and today again it was out... it happens all the time and for no reason in partcular.
Baby Purity is coming along so well. She is gaining weight and becoming more alert every day. She is just so beautiful.
Little Inna has been following me around alot today (pictured with me below) she is so beautiful and has had such a hard life. She only came to us about 10 months ago after being taken away from her mother after suffering severe physical and mental abuse. The things that happened to Inna are hard to believe. She is missing teeth from having them beat out of her, She came to us with a massive open wound on the back of her head. She was picked up by her ankles and swung into walls and doors. We cant even imagine that kind of stuff in a movie let a lone happening to a 3 year old girl. But she is a happy little girl who giggles all the time. She will have a lot of things to deal with when she is older no doubt but at least she is in this wonderful loving environment.
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Lovely Inna and Me... |
Looking out to the washing line that is never empty... |
Regatta and Baby Martha
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Tuesday 23rd October 2007
Thunder and Storms today for most of the day. It is so loud in the orphanage building when it rains as there is still no ceiling up and only the tin roof so when it hits you cannot hear anything but the rain.
We went to visit one of the carers named Regatta that worked here previously, in the local hospital. The conditions are so terrible in there. This is where we found alot of our babies.
Regatta was all smiles when we walked in. So happy to see us and so proud of her baby. She had many complications during birth and had to have a c section.
Back home if a woman has a c - section she is out of action for some time, laying up, not moving and having the nurse care alot for the baby... not these women, she was sitting up on her knees on the bed which she has to share with another lady and her baby mind you.
The smell in the hospital was rancid and it was so FULL of people.
I will never take it for granted when i go home and promise i will not complain when i have to share a room with people in a hospital that smells of cleaning agents.
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Wednesday 24th October
Today was such a busy day. We knew that we were having a visit from the District Commisioner to see how our Orphanage is being run, but when the 7 truck loads of people started driving in we all went into panic mode. We rushed around getting snacks and tea ready for everyone... we had about 50 people turn up including the District commisioner, OCPD Official commisioner police department, member of parliment, disctrict public works officer, local chief, sub cheif. area administrators, public health officer. municipal council.
They said that the orphanage is 'first class' and being run so well. They were all very very impressed and the visit was a complete success. The 'public works' road man actually came along as well and was so impressed that he at last agreed to give us approval to put in the speed bumps out front of the orphanage!
We had some more vounteers arrive today so we are going to be a full house. The children love all the attention!!
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Some of the visitors from today.. |
One of my favourites (ssshhhh dont tell) Matthew and me... |
Thursday 25th October
Today we took Cecelia out to meet someone about a job as a 'house lady' we told her to get ready in her best outfit... when we pulled up outside the mud hut in the car and beeped the horn she came running out with a very big smile on her face and looking gorgeous!
She was ready to go into town... i told her to put on her seatbelt not thinking she wouldnt have a clue how to use it so she just wrapped it around her.... i showed her how to use it properly... normally i wouldnt care but with the driving here in Nakuru a seat belt is necessary (and i should know;-))
Anyway, first we went food shopping for the orphanage and took Cecelia along with us. It was an experience.. she was very helpful and remembering things that we forgot! 4.5 trolley loads this time! After we were done shopping i took cecelia back through the shopping center and asked her what she would like... I got all sorts of nice things for her and she was stoked. She couldnt stop smiling!
After shopping we went to see the lady about the job... although she is very, very nice we have become very attached to Cecelia and she is a wonderful worker and we kind of didnt really want to let her go. Cecelia said that she would work where ever she had to but if she could she would love to stay with us as we have been very kind to her and given her a mattress, blanket and food. She is just scared to go somewhere new as she does not know if they will treat her badly or not. She has just had too many bad experiences.
We have not decided yet... but we are talking about finding something here for Cecelia to do so she can stay with us and have a chance at the new 'happy' life we so badly wish for her.
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Cecelia with her new bag of goodies and me... |
Me and My Joseph.
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Friday 26th October
Today Anna (volunteer) and I got up early to feed the babies... WOW these children can eat! They are screaming before they have even finished their mouthful for their next one! this continues on until they have finished their bowl of food then you have to somehow have their bottle ready and waiting to shove in their mouth after their last spoonfull or they will loose it.
We then went to Ivan and Mary's girls (Rachael and Sarah) school to watch them at their sports carnival. They are the top of their school for sports. It was a lot of fun and Mary and I almost lost our voices cheering for them. We made sure that we were the loudest at the carnival and we embarressed the girls as much as possible. They both came 1st at everything they did and when they were competing against each other they came 1st and 2nd.
Rachael won 'Senior sports girl of the year' and when they were recieving their trophies the announced over the microphone 'if you have a girl, you should name her budulica' because they win everything! Good job girls!
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Mercy and Inna coming home from church. |
Saturday 27th October
I felt like sleeping in till very late today as it was raining and cold but i could hear the children downstairs so I went down to see them all...
On saturdays they get a special breakfast of 'cereal' and nuts which they all LOVE...
after washing up we all started getting ready for church. We only take the big kids with us and they really love to get dressed up.
We head off to 'Martha's' church and are greeted by many people waiting outside.
If you are a new visitor to the church you must always get up in the middle of church and say hi to everyone, give them your name and tell them a little bit about yourself. To be honest its not something I like to do but it would be very rude if i didnt.
The children were all so good at church (2 hours !) and we came home and walked in the door and heard all the kids screaming and cheering for us when we got home. They were all sitting down eating their lunch... and they were very excited to see us... i can understand them as we are all pretty cool people ;-)
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Sunday 28th October
Up early to help Anisha with breakfast for the children. Savoury pancakes and salad today which the kids are very excited about. They all keep coming in the kitchen bugging us 'whats for yum yum?' constantly telling them to go back into the play room...
I am a little crossed eyed at the moment as i have been doing 'sponsor updates' for all of our sponsors of the children. This has been a long time coming so i am sorry for the wait every one! They are on the way but i just need to wait until the internet picks up as it is tooooo slow and will not send the files - thanks for your patience ;-)
After breakfast we pile the big kids in daddys truck and we all head off to town to pick up our new van that was donated to us from the wonderful scottish girls (thanks ladies you rock)
The kids are SOOOOOOO excited about the new van that was meant to be here last month. We are also waiting for another one as well. Having these 2 vans will mean we can take more of the children out and about and we will be able to take volunteers and visitors out on safari and other tours. It might be away of us earning some income for the orphanage. We drive the new van home and all the kids sing songs and scream out the windows with excitment... its a good day.
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