Below are links to some more pictures from the trip. Enjoy!
St. Lucia Children Part 2
Zanzibar Part 2
Around Arusha
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Videos from Safari
As promised, here is the cool video I shot of the lion kill in Ngorogoro Crater on April 6. Enjoy!
Also, here is the video of the mother lions returning to get their cubs out of hiding to come enjoy the feast.
Also, here is the video of the mother lions returning to get their cubs out of hiding to come enjoy the feast.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Pictures!
Here are the links to some of our pictures. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view...
Children of St. Lucia Orphanage & Daycare
Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater Safari
Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater Safari (2)
Easter Weekend in Zanzibar
I'll upload more tomorrow.
Children of St. Lucia Orphanage & Daycare
Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater Safari
Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater Safari (2)
Easter Weekend in Zanzibar
I'll upload more tomorrow.
Queen's Update
This is Queen in the white. Her sister and nephew are on the left.
Friday morning Queen, an older sister and the sister's young son arrived at the St. Lucia daycare. I can't imagine how long it took them to walk from their mountainside home. The sister and young boy are quite sick with HIV and probably TB. We gave them some porridge and they sat outside to wait for Winfrida.
Once Winfrida arrived, she talked to the older sister. Later I got the update - the sister was crying because of their situation. They have little money - food is hard to come by and they are sick. It turns out Queen is in level 5 at school; she's supposed to be in level 2, but she was advanced 3 levels because she is so smart. I didn't even question that - knowing what she'd done the day before. It's obvious she's wise beyond her years.
Now the problem is money. They can't afford for her to go back to public school. They have to pay for uniforms and even books for writing in. Winfrida talked to the Global Fund people who assist in the area. They found Queen a sweater and dress in the proper colors (navy blue) and gave her some writing books. I gave her my $7 Wal Mart shoes that are much too big, but will do for now. They also provided a bag of rice and some grain and vitamins. It was too much for them to carry back home, so the sister said she'd send someone on bicycle the next day to pick up the rest.
I was so glad they made it to St. Lucia. It's not the perfect solution, but it's something for now. I think Winfrida will follow up with them and try to get Queen into a boarding school if possible. The problem is just so huge - there are lots of children like Queen in Tanzania - there's just not enough resources to help every one of them.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
More Kid Pix
We have a bit of a layover in Amsterdam - and finally fast internet access - so I wanted to upload some more pix of the kids.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Little Girl's Hope
Today I had the most unique experience of the entire trip. Travis and I walked to the orphanage around lunchtime to get the last of our projects done there before our final day.
About halfway there a little girl, about 9 or 10 years old appeared behind us on the road. She was talking to us in Swahili, but we didn't really understand. Most of the people here, especially the children, seem to think it's exciting to just say hello to a Mzungu, so I figured this was the same. I.WAS.WRONG.
After a few hundred yards of this girl following us, I realized she was keeping pace right beside me. Then she was holding my hand. I asked her name. "Queen", she replied shyly. I tried to ask her more things, but she didn't speak English. Even Travis, with his advanced Swahili skills didn't know what she was saying. Queen never let go of my hand.
Travis and I started to discuss what we should do if the girl walked with us all the way to the orphanage. Surely she'd peel off before then...it's at least a 2 mile walk. Umm, no. She didn't even hesitate when we made the left turn to head up the hill to St. Lucia. Where ever we were going, Queen was going too.
We took her inside to the nurses. They were able to talk to her. Queen said her parents were dead. She lived with a neighbor. I figured there was something wrong, but didn't have the slightest idea what to do.
I called Winfrida who told me to take Queen to the Community Leader, near the daycare where we're staying. She stayed at the orphanage through lunch, and when Teacher arrived, we took the school bus over to the Community Leader's office. We had to report her as missing - or whatever she was - so there was no risk of us getting in trouble for her traveling with us. I guess a lot of kids are taken or kidnapped maybe - so we were going through the proper protocol to figure out this girl's situation.
She told Teacher where she lived, so he said we would take her home and find out what was going on there. We all piled back in the bus and Queen gave good directions to the driver. It was about a 40 minute drive up the side of a mountain. I couldn't believe this little girl had walked this far. These were, by far, the worst roads I've seen in Africa. She kept urging us forward, left here, right there, over the bridge. Keep going. Finally we got so far down the road that there was no more road. We had to park the school bus and walk on the footpath. I was really concerned at this point. Where in the world does this girl live???
We walked a few hundred yards into the woods and came upon a house (?) along the side of the mountain. It was a concrete structure. Teacher called "Hodi!" (May I come in?) to the people sitting outside. After several minutes of introduction, they brought us their best chairs to sit on. One was a wooden folding chair. The other was a little table of sorts.
Teacher was so eloquent and compassionate as he explained what happened with Queen. The story was confusing...they said she'd been gone for 3 days. She lives there - with the grandmother, sisters, aunts - and lots of children, 9 total, I think. But she sometimes lives closer in town with another grandmother. Her mother has disappeared. No one knows who her father is. The grandfather was inside. We went in to see him. I thought it was just an empty bed at first till I saw him move. He's near death. The family said he's been sick in bed for nearly a year. I've never seen someone as sick as that.
Every time I looked at Queen during the meeting with her "family" she smiled at me...as if to say, "Please, let this work. Let me get out of here this time." Teacher tried to explain to the family how to best care for a girl like her - with no parents and tons of curiosity.
Later I found out Queen walked herself into town to go to St. Jude and other boarding schools in the area. All she wants is the opportunity to leave her home environment and go to boarding school. She had her best clothes on and her best manners. I guess when she saw us walking she'd already been turned down at all the schools (what school takes a 9 y/o girl who shows up by herself?) and we were her last hope. I was choked up.
Teacher told Queen and her older sister they could come to St. Lucia tomorrow and talk to Winfrida. It's a difficult situation because she lives so far out of town - finding a proper school is difficult. She doesn't appear to be sick with HIV, so St. Lucia probably can't take her in either. Besides, they're already over capacity.
This is the kind of thing that will haunt you at night. I am sure I'll lose sleep over this little girl. I just hope they show up tomorrow. That will be the first step for Queen. Otherwise, I can't imagine how many other times she'll make the long walk into town, trying to find someone to get her into boarding school. It's not a safe thing for a young girl to do. If she hadn't found us, I wonder where she'd be tonight. But then again, that house on the side of the mountain isn't a good enough place for her either.
One more day here in Tanzania. We fly out tomorrow night. I'm not sure yet what tomorrow will be like. Saying goodbye to the kids will be hard. Not knowing their futures is harder. I do know, though, that they're in excellent hands here with Winfrida & her staff - especially Chance, the teacher. His heart is bigger than anyone I've known. I'm so thankful for the time here and the perspective it's given me.
Talk to everyone when I get back!!
About halfway there a little girl, about 9 or 10 years old appeared behind us on the road. She was talking to us in Swahili, but we didn't really understand. Most of the people here, especially the children, seem to think it's exciting to just say hello to a Mzungu, so I figured this was the same. I.WAS.WRONG.
After a few hundred yards of this girl following us, I realized she was keeping pace right beside me. Then she was holding my hand. I asked her name. "Queen", she replied shyly. I tried to ask her more things, but she didn't speak English. Even Travis, with his advanced Swahili skills didn't know what she was saying. Queen never let go of my hand.
Travis and I started to discuss what we should do if the girl walked with us all the way to the orphanage. Surely she'd peel off before then...it's at least a 2 mile walk. Umm, no. She didn't even hesitate when we made the left turn to head up the hill to St. Lucia. Where ever we were going, Queen was going too.
We took her inside to the nurses. They were able to talk to her. Queen said her parents were dead. She lived with a neighbor. I figured there was something wrong, but didn't have the slightest idea what to do.
I called Winfrida who told me to take Queen to the Community Leader, near the daycare where we're staying. She stayed at the orphanage through lunch, and when Teacher arrived, we took the school bus over to the Community Leader's office. We had to report her as missing - or whatever she was - so there was no risk of us getting in trouble for her traveling with us. I guess a lot of kids are taken or kidnapped maybe - so we were going through the proper protocol to figure out this girl's situation.
She told Teacher where she lived, so he said we would take her home and find out what was going on there. We all piled back in the bus and Queen gave good directions to the driver. It was about a 40 minute drive up the side of a mountain. I couldn't believe this little girl had walked this far. These were, by far, the worst roads I've seen in Africa. She kept urging us forward, left here, right there, over the bridge. Keep going. Finally we got so far down the road that there was no more road. We had to park the school bus and walk on the footpath. I was really concerned at this point. Where in the world does this girl live???
We walked a few hundred yards into the woods and came upon a house (?) along the side of the mountain. It was a concrete structure. Teacher called "Hodi!" (May I come in?) to the people sitting outside. After several minutes of introduction, they brought us their best chairs to sit on. One was a wooden folding chair. The other was a little table of sorts.
Teacher was so eloquent and compassionate as he explained what happened with Queen. The story was confusing...they said she'd been gone for 3 days. She lives there - with the grandmother, sisters, aunts - and lots of children, 9 total, I think. But she sometimes lives closer in town with another grandmother. Her mother has disappeared. No one knows who her father is. The grandfather was inside. We went in to see him. I thought it was just an empty bed at first till I saw him move. He's near death. The family said he's been sick in bed for nearly a year. I've never seen someone as sick as that.
Every time I looked at Queen during the meeting with her "family" she smiled at me...as if to say, "Please, let this work. Let me get out of here this time." Teacher tried to explain to the family how to best care for a girl like her - with no parents and tons of curiosity.
Later I found out Queen walked herself into town to go to St. Jude and other boarding schools in the area. All she wants is the opportunity to leave her home environment and go to boarding school. She had her best clothes on and her best manners. I guess when she saw us walking she'd already been turned down at all the schools (what school takes a 9 y/o girl who shows up by herself?) and we were her last hope. I was choked up.
Teacher told Queen and her older sister they could come to St. Lucia tomorrow and talk to Winfrida. It's a difficult situation because she lives so far out of town - finding a proper school is difficult. She doesn't appear to be sick with HIV, so St. Lucia probably can't take her in either. Besides, they're already over capacity.
This is the kind of thing that will haunt you at night. I am sure I'll lose sleep over this little girl. I just hope they show up tomorrow. That will be the first step for Queen. Otherwise, I can't imagine how many other times she'll make the long walk into town, trying to find someone to get her into boarding school. It's not a safe thing for a young girl to do. If she hadn't found us, I wonder where she'd be tonight. But then again, that house on the side of the mountain isn't a good enough place for her either.
One more day here in Tanzania. We fly out tomorrow night. I'm not sure yet what tomorrow will be like. Saying goodbye to the kids will be hard. Not knowing their futures is harder. I do know, though, that they're in excellent hands here with Winfrida & her staff - especially Chance, the teacher. His heart is bigger than anyone I've known. I'm so thankful for the time here and the perspective it's given me.
Talk to everyone when I get back!!
An Orphan's Story
Wednesday started out much the same as Tuesday - subtraction and vowels with the middle group. I discovered the wonderful world of flash cards today...the kids even seem to enjoy them!
In the afternoon, we all met with Winfrida. She wanted some feedback on the program from our perspective. Travis suggested a 'life skills' and 'exit' program for the older kids. There is one boy, Barikie who is 17. We all worry and wonder what will happen to him when he turns 18. As of today, he wasn't in school because they can't afford the fees.
Winfrida also told us the history of some of the other people staying at St. Lucia. I'm not sure which was more heart wrenching.
Fredy arrived in December. The nuns from the hospital brought him because he was terminal. He could barely walk. Winfrida said he was like an old man, walking with canes - but he's only a young teenager. Fredy's family life is difficult. His mother cheated on his father who travels a lot for work. He is HIV positive and so shunned from his father and other family members.
The hospitals here only provide patient care. They do not bathe or feed the patients. Since no one cared for Fredy, he was brought to St. Lucia to live out his final days and at the very least, receive meals and care. Today, Fredy is thriving. He is the leader of all the children at the daycare. When Fredy speaks, they listen. They wash their hands for Fredy. They stand in line for Fredy. They are quiet for Fredy. I would have NEVER known Fredy was about to die in December, to see him now - it's a literal miracle.
Another sad story from the Orphanage is about a woman and her young child. They are "street people" according to Winfrida. The woman and her young daughter were sick and living on the streets. Despite their terrible condition (and HIV positive status), the street touts were raping them (yes, the young girl too) at night. Winfrida found out about this and brought them into her care. She knew the woman had a terrible past, and wouldn't be a good influence in the orphanage, but she knew it was worse to have her being raped by the boys at night - and wanted to do what she could to stop the spread of the disease.
She's been receiving psychotherapy and counseling on how to live a normal (non-street) life. She is helping the nurses at the orphanage with the kids. But you can tell she's different than everyone else. People living on the streets here are tougher - rougher - than most. Even the little girl was teaching the other kids bad words.
When you hear these stories...even the less terrible ones...you can't help but feel insignificant. We're here for only 2.5 weeks, what impact can we possibly have when this problem is so huge; so insurmountable? A woman like Winfrida dedicates her life to this work and she's barely scratching the surface. The poverty, sickness and lack of education here is incredible. You can only help but hope that in the short time you're here you put a smile on a face once or twice. A couple hugs and a few encouraging words MIGHT make an orphans' day, it certainly won't change their life.
Winfrida asked for our prayers and hope in helping her and the children. I assured her I was praying and everyone else reading this blog would keep them in their prayers. Please consider this tonight - when you can drink the water at home and have a safe place to sleep - and you know you have your health and you know where your parents are. It's these things we all take for granted that we need to pray about for these children.
Thank you.
In the afternoon, we all met with Winfrida. She wanted some feedback on the program from our perspective. Travis suggested a 'life skills' and 'exit' program for the older kids. There is one boy, Barikie who is 17. We all worry and wonder what will happen to him when he turns 18. As of today, he wasn't in school because they can't afford the fees.
Winfrida also told us the history of some of the other people staying at St. Lucia. I'm not sure which was more heart wrenching.
Fredy arrived in December. The nuns from the hospital brought him because he was terminal. He could barely walk. Winfrida said he was like an old man, walking with canes - but he's only a young teenager. Fredy's family life is difficult. His mother cheated on his father who travels a lot for work. He is HIV positive and so shunned from his father and other family members.
The hospitals here only provide patient care. They do not bathe or feed the patients. Since no one cared for Fredy, he was brought to St. Lucia to live out his final days and at the very least, receive meals and care. Today, Fredy is thriving. He is the leader of all the children at the daycare. When Fredy speaks, they listen. They wash their hands for Fredy. They stand in line for Fredy. They are quiet for Fredy. I would have NEVER known Fredy was about to die in December, to see him now - it's a literal miracle.
Another sad story from the Orphanage is about a woman and her young child. They are "street people" according to Winfrida. The woman and her young daughter were sick and living on the streets. Despite their terrible condition (and HIV positive status), the street touts were raping them (yes, the young girl too) at night. Winfrida found out about this and brought them into her care. She knew the woman had a terrible past, and wouldn't be a good influence in the orphanage, but she knew it was worse to have her being raped by the boys at night - and wanted to do what she could to stop the spread of the disease.
She's been receiving psychotherapy and counseling on how to live a normal (non-street) life. She is helping the nurses at the orphanage with the kids. But you can tell she's different than everyone else. People living on the streets here are tougher - rougher - than most. Even the little girl was teaching the other kids bad words.
When you hear these stories...even the less terrible ones...you can't help but feel insignificant. We're here for only 2.5 weeks, what impact can we possibly have when this problem is so huge; so insurmountable? A woman like Winfrida dedicates her life to this work and she's barely scratching the surface. The poverty, sickness and lack of education here is incredible. You can only help but hope that in the short time you're here you put a smile on a face once or twice. A couple hugs and a few encouraging words MIGHT make an orphans' day, it certainly won't change their life.
Winfrida asked for our prayers and hope in helping her and the children. I assured her I was praying and everyone else reading this blog would keep them in their prayers. Please consider this tonight - when you can drink the water at home and have a safe place to sleep - and you know you have your health and you know where your parents are. It's these things we all take for granted that we need to pray about for these children.
Thank you.
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