This morning I decided to do something a little
different. One of the students here is a
founder of a medical aid group called International Medical Aid. He travels around the world with doctors and
other students and holds clinics to improve certain aspects of health. This morning his group was going to a village
orphanage/school to teach the children about washing their hands and brushing
their teeth. When we arrived it had
rained the night before and the streets into the village were made out of
dirt. Everything was so muddy that we
instantly were stuck. The kids laughed
as a group of “mzungas” were pushing the van out of the mud. We finally got out and walked up to the
school house as we were arrived with smiles and welcome. Everyone was so happy to see us and we entered
the school house and the children lined up and started singing. It was so cute because they had actions and
everything. After they sang we shook
their hands and said hello and they started pushing each other just to touch
your hands. Instantly a couple children
latched onto my hands and took me outside.
We sat them down again and demonstrated how to use a tooth brush because
they had been using sticks. After
demonstrating that, we showed them how to wash their hands as well. We passed out suckers (slightly
counterproductive in regards to teeth brushing), tooth brushes, tooth paste,
and soap. They were so happy it was
relieving to see something different than the hospital setting. After everything had been passed out we
played games with them. I’m not sure
what the game is called but they taught it to us. They also played a game comparable to duck,
duck, goose.
our stuck van
The sign into their school was handwritten and had a slogan
underneath reading “Through perseverance we shall succeed.” I found this to be one of the most
inspiration things I have seen yet in Africa. Although their school house had
no desks inside, just a tin hut with dirt floors it wasn’t something negative
that weighted down the student’s spirit.
They were genuinely happy so who cares how the place they were learning
looked like.
the school house
Soon it was time to go. We took some last minute pictures
and they loved having their pictures taken.
If you would bring out a camera, about a dozen dark faces would crowd
yours in order to be in the picture. It was
so precious and I wanted to take every one of them home. We loaded up the vans
and said goodbye. Today was a rewarding day for me and a great way to end the
week. The memories of today will stay
with me and I’m humbled to have been able to experience it.
one of the cutest babies ever
Next we headed out to eat at Café Mocha, and I had been
craving pizza and it was delicious. We
made our way back to the house and talked in the main room with the other
students. Tomorrow we have a day off
from the hospital so many of us are going to a place called Old Town where
there are little shops and vendors have their products to sell. My
post today is pretty short but I’m posting a lot of pictures because I think
sometimes they can speak louder than what I can describe to you myself. Enjoy!
the group of kids and us students
the game the kids taught us
playing with the kids
Loved the pictures! I think students here should see the picture of the school there. Perhaps some wouldn't complain so much. Keep up the good work. Love those who are less fortunate than us and learn and respect their ways. I saw that a Kenyan won the 800 meter run and broke the world record yesterday. I bet the country is going crazy over that. Good for him and Kenya. I'll see you at the end of the month...Love you...Mom
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