On Wednesday morning I went along with a dutch lady to the orphanage run by The sisters of Charity (Mother Theresa). I was apprehensive to say the least, and in many ways rightly so - as it has affected me.
Volunteers are welcomed at 9 and 2 every day except Thursdays to assist with feeding. The rest of the time the nuns and lay sisters take care of the children. On Thursdays the medical staff / volunteers come - many of the children are HIV+, and many have some form of disability - but not all.
We went to help feed the 6-12 month olds - big enough to sit and stand up, but not to walk or feed self yet. Each child was clean and in clean (new) gender appropriate clothes (unusual according to Els - perhaps a VIP was expected). A big bowl of unappetising but nutritious porridge for all. I managed to feed 2 boys, one plump poor eater and a skinny boy who was like a baby bird - all eyes and open mouth. Most of the children remained in a cot, whilst being fed through the bars.
The orphanage was pretty clean - there was a distinct but not overwhelming nappy odour, but that is to be expected when you enter a room which has over 50 cots in it.
The nuns are able to offer these children shelter and food, but they are lacking in love and stimulation - but still it has to be better than the lives they would otherwise have.
Whether I will continue to volunteer here or not, I haven't yet decided. It would be difficult to not contribute, but is this the best way? All I know is that the faces of the two boys I spent time feeding and playing with will stay with me for a long time.
2 comments:
Its distressing when you see these places on tv-to see the reality must be harder, not able to offer advice just be kind to yourself xx
pssorry I posted 2x - will get used to this new blogger!!
Ja, lijkt me een heftige ervaring. Aan de ene kant heel mooi, maar aan de andere kant ook verdrietig. Je moet er zelf wel tegen kunnen als je dat elke week wil gaan doen.
Er zijn vast veel goede zaken waar je je mee bezig kunt houden in Kigali.
Leuk dat jullie de blog zo goed bijhouden. Wat zijn er toch weer veel indrukken en belevenissen die op je af komen zeg. Zo kunnen wij leuk met jullie meeleven.
Succes verder en geniet van deze ervaringen. Hoe bevalt Lon z'n dagelijkse werk? Is het net als werken in Nederland (met allemaal nederlandse collegea) of is het toch heel anders?
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