Mairi McInnes

After being introduced to the wonders and good will of MIA at various fundraising events in Edinburgh, I always hoped to volunteer at the orphanage. At the time of writing my dissertation and spending endless nights in the university library reading on third world development and the effects of poverty on women and children I contacted MIA about volunteering and gaining some experience in the field. Correspondence from Sarah was always punctual and my time in Kenya was organised with ease thanks to her help.
While the gates of the orphanage opened the arms of the children and all at MIA did as well. I was instantly made to feel like I was part of the MIA family and was integrated that evening through song and dance from the children. A ritual that will welcome every visitor at MIA.
From offset I observed that the babies and children of MIA were extremely disciplined given the often tragic backgrounds many of them have experienced. Infact it was very easy to forget while in the gates of the orphanage the poverty and its effects that lay outside. This is not to say that MIA is disconnected from the community but instead to highlight the wonderful job Mary, Ivan & Martha have done in creating a safe environment for the children in an often unstable part of the world.
At my time at the orphanage there were 7 babies all at different levels of development. A regular day started with caring for and changing the babies as they tended to rise first. Your job as a volunteer is to chip in where ever is needed and everyday this changes, so be prepared for this. Looking after the babies was extremely demanding at times as they all craved your individual attention however rewarding on many levels as I now feel that having 1 child of my own will be a walk in the park after caring for 7.
The infants were a completely different kettle of fish. There are many that will cling by your side, some will take a while to warm to you, others will need to gain your trust but most importantly they all love one on one attention.
It is important to integrate with the caretakers as many volunteers come and go and it must be difficult with them seeing so many people passing though. Thursday sports afternoons were great for creating this camaraderie. Generally the caretakers and estate staff would represent Kenya and whoever was volunteering at the time would represent the rest of the world. Whether it was volleyball or football, Kenya generally won.
Ivan and Martha were running the orphanage at the time of my visit and I must sincerely thank them both for making me feel so welcome. After the kids were laid to rest at night Ivan and Martha would host great debate and conversation around the square table in the upper level of the orphanage. Each evening’s discussion would give me a great deal of time to reflect on the day past and understand the hardship many have to undergo to even achieve the most basic standard of living and how privileged I was purely because of my geographical birth place. Ivan not only gave me the opportunity to make a difference at his orphanage but introduced me to the bureaucracy and red tape involved with its steady running.
Ivan asked me what age I was and I answered 23. He then asked if I would move home again if I needed to. I remarked ‘yes’. He then explained he wants all his children to feel they have a home no matter what age to move back to. This conversation clarified for me the commitment MIA has to its children, not as an institute but as a family and I would encourage everyone to support the wonderful work they are doing for this reason. From this I learnt that the most important need for the children is a sustainable long term plan that gives them stability alongside an effective leaving strategy. All of which MIA offers.
 
Mairi McInnes
Edinburgh, Scotland
visited July 2009