AIDS Orphans Day at St. Francis Hosp.
Girl walking home after a full day----------------Boys being silly and making hats!
Dear Friends May 1,2007
I want to tell you a little about “Orphans Day” which is every sat. at St. Francis Hospital , Public Health Department.. About 80 to 90 children from age 7 to 16 yrs find there way here for a day of breakfast, lunch, play, and learning .Beautiful children .who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. None of these children seem sick themselves but I don’t believe they are tested unless they have symptoms .
Breakfast is a liquid millet porridge which I happily serve but couldn’t get myself to try-smile. Then we all go outside to play. The girls seem to like to jump rope , but they don’t use a rope rather some vines tied together And they don’t twirl it around in a circle , just back and forth. The more experienced the girl is, the faster the rope goes back and forth. I found it pretty compelling to watch., almost wanted to try it myself-ha
I recall many years ago at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, when skateboarding also looked appealing but my career was short lived as I fell flat on my back the very first time I put my foot on the skateboard. So, maybe I’ll wait a bit before I try the jump rope circuit.
The boys play with a soccer ball but it seems they are just throwing it around, no official game that I could see .I spent time with a group of 10-11 year old who were braiding some straw to make hats and bags to sell. I , having braided hair for years,. . thought this would be a breeze Wrong again! Seems there is another move besides your basic braiding and the boys found it quite funny that I just couldn’t seem to master it. Maybe it had something to do with having six or seven teachers at the same time? Ha.
The boys know more about geography than I knew at that age and definitely more about American history than I ever knew about a country not my own. . But like most adults in Africa, they thought all American were rich , no one had AIDS, and everyone ate 5 meals a day and gave their pets the left overs. Admittantly the eating part is true among some, but I told them we have many very poor families in the USA who struggle just to have a meal a day. We talked about AIDS in the United States: how many had died and many were taking ART to survive.
After washing their hands , for lunch. I helped pass out plates filled with beans, rice and mashed pumpkin, which is eaten African style (that is with your hands) Then another hand washing and everyone gathers for some local singing and dancing . I took some terrific videos of the dancing but seem unable to send any videos, no matter how short.
The spirit of song and dance is such a natural part of their culture. While watching , it is hard to imagine that some of them go home to a single meal a day ( usually at school) and often there is no adult caregiver. Many live with their grandparent, but some at 14 yrs are the eldest of several children. You would never know their struggles in the photo’s I took, they seem like typical silly adolescents .
I don’t know too many individual stories yet but two of my language teachers grandsons attend , while their granddad Everest counsels the children on AIDS and Malaria and how to protect themselves.
I want to tell you a little about “Orphans Day” which is every sat. at St. Francis Hospital , Public Health Department.. About 80 to 90 children from age 7 to 16 yrs find there way here for a day of breakfast, lunch, play, and learning .Beautiful children .who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. None of these children seem sick themselves but I don’t believe they are tested unless they have symptoms .
Breakfast is a liquid millet porridge which I happily serve but couldn’t get myself to try-smile. Then we all go outside to play. The girls seem to like to jump rope , but they don’t use a rope rather some vines tied together And they don’t twirl it around in a circle , just back and forth. The more experienced the girl is, the faster the rope goes back and forth. I found it pretty compelling to watch., almost wanted to try it myself-ha
I recall many years ago at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, when skateboarding also looked appealing but my career was short lived as I fell flat on my back the very first time I put my foot on the skateboard. So, maybe I’ll wait a bit before I try the jump rope circuit.
The boys play with a soccer ball but it seems they are just throwing it around, no official game that I could see .I spent time with a group of 10-11 year old who were braiding some straw to make hats and bags to sell. I , having braided hair for years,. . thought this would be a breeze Wrong again! Seems there is another move besides your basic braiding and the boys found it quite funny that I just couldn’t seem to master it. Maybe it had something to do with having six or seven teachers at the same time? Ha.
The boys know more about geography than I knew at that age and definitely more about American history than I ever knew about a country not my own. . But like most adults in Africa, they thought all American were rich , no one had AIDS, and everyone ate 5 meals a day and gave their pets the left overs. Admittantly the eating part is true among some, but I told them we have many very poor families in the USA who struggle just to have a meal a day. We talked about AIDS in the United States: how many had died and many were taking ART to survive.
After washing their hands , for lunch. I helped pass out plates filled with beans, rice and mashed pumpkin, which is eaten African style (that is with your hands) Then another hand washing and everyone gathers for some local singing and dancing . I took some terrific videos of the dancing but seem unable to send any videos, no matter how short.
The spirit of song and dance is such a natural part of their culture. While watching , it is hard to imagine that some of them go home to a single meal a day ( usually at school) and often there is no adult caregiver. Many live with their grandparent, but some at 14 yrs are the eldest of several children. You would never know their struggles in the photo’s I took, they seem like typical silly adolescents .
I don’t know too many individual stories yet but two of my language teachers grandsons attend , while their granddad Everest counsels the children on AIDS and Malaria and how to protect themselves.
Someone donated a TV and video machine to the program but no one was able to hook it up. Well, all those years of experience came in handy when yours truly was able to make it work. There were hoots and hollers of thanks, when all they had to watch were films about disease and the importance of hand washing. Bless their hearts, they sat enraptured as if it were a Kung Fu movie..
As time goes by and I get to know some of the children , I will tell you more about them .For now I hope you’ll like the photos I’ve enclosed.
I am not sure when I will be able to blog or download photos again as my computer is acting up and the computer expert that examined it today was unable to fix it. He is optimistic he will be able to, if I bring the correct Dell disc with me next time. Hum….
More soon
Marie
As time goes by and I get to know some of the children , I will tell you more about them .For now I hope you’ll like the photos I’ve enclosed.
I am not sure when I will be able to blog or download photos again as my computer is acting up and the computer expert that examined it today was unable to fix it. He is optimistic he will be able to, if I bring the correct Dell disc with me next time. Hum….
More soon
Marie
posted by Marie McGee @ 9:55 AM
1 Comments:
At Thu May 03, 03:27:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Dear Marie, Ok , you are now not only a love ambassador, but a photo journalist. It is not difficult to picture you in the midst of this weekly event. A spectator, you are not. I can see you there in the braiding, the rope turning,singing and dancing, the millett serving and video machine fixing. What joy! It also is clear that week after week, beautiful and heart gripping connections will form. It is BECAUSE you ARE so very present, in Christ, that you are bring the best of gifts to the weekly gatherings: the openness to share, receive and rejoice. Awesome!
What is the sanitary water status there? How are Lindsey's water gismo containers holding up? Can one of us send you a 'flash stick'? Do the kiddos need any short wonderful animated videos? How about bubbles, spiney things, tiddly winks, jacks, marbles, frisbees? Send out a wish list for the kiddos, as well as yours. Between all you email and blog buddies, we should be able to come through. Sending many pre birthday blessings your way. Here, it is 5/4/07...soon it will be your day, 5/7/07....If we were not able to get your celebration to you in time this year, we WILL HAVE the routine down by next...You know our hearts are with you, sending so much love....that is most important...but the 'stuff' will end up there, just when you will probably need it most. Joy to you this day, much love, Mary J and family..
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