I am sitting at the Watoto Wa Baraka with Beatrice, Joyce, Erick, Simon, and Albert. We finished dinner about 9:00pm and are now playing on the computer.
Beatrice is 14 yrs old, and wants to work with computers as well as run her own orphanage. She hopes to take care of HUNDREDS of kids who are vulnerable and in need. She prays to God that all the kids at WWB have food, love and peace. She also prays for internally displaced persons who were misplaced during post-election violence.
Erick is a staff member of the orphanage who works in the field for the sponsored kids of WWB. He does school and home visitation to find out what the children need. Most kids live in the village but he still has to walk 10 to 15 miles a day.
Simon is a crazy silly boy who doesn't know if is 10, 11, 12 or 13 years old. He can't remember :) Simon wants to be a sweeper when he grows - up, which is good because he sweeps everyday at the orphanage. Just now he changed his mind and wants to be a pilot. Now he wants to be a football player. He has a lot of decisions to make!
Even though it is past their bed time, the kids are still watching football. Well everyone but Simon, he is still sweeping!
The kids say hello and GOOD MORNING!
God Bless all of you andc we send this message with much love.
Tracy, Beatrice, Simon
Erick
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Holy Cow!
I might be buying a cow for Watoto Wa Baraka!
The kids get three good meals a day, but only get milk once a week. A local nurse strongly recommended they drink at least one glass of milk per day. Solving this problem is not as easy as one would think. WWB doesn't currently have the funds to provide milk each day for all 34 kids. Even if they did have the $$, they don't have a refrigerator big enough to keep the milk from spoiling. In addition, the electricity can be unreliable. They have it, but there are many days when it is off for hours at a time.
So I started discussing with Zach, the orphanage manager, ways I can help resolve the problem. I told him investing in the children's future is important to me, and I feel a glass of milk a day is necessary for the kids to grow strong and healthy.
Zach just came to me and said it would be best to buy a cow. He said buying a cow is not only a long term resolution, but better for the kids. If they have their own cow, they can ensure the milk will be safe to drink. So tomorrow we are going to look at cows. The requirement is that the cow will produce at least 10 liters a day.
I will keep you posted on how the purchase is coming along. In the meantime start thinking of names for the cow!
Love to all!
Tracy
The kids get three good meals a day, but only get milk once a week. A local nurse strongly recommended they drink at least one glass of milk per day. Solving this problem is not as easy as one would think. WWB doesn't currently have the funds to provide milk each day for all 34 kids. Even if they did have the $$, they don't have a refrigerator big enough to keep the milk from spoiling. In addition, the electricity can be unreliable. They have it, but there are many days when it is off for hours at a time.
So I started discussing with Zach, the orphanage manager, ways I can help resolve the problem. I told him investing in the children's future is important to me, and I feel a glass of milk a day is necessary for the kids to grow strong and healthy.
Zach just came to me and said it would be best to buy a cow. He said buying a cow is not only a long term resolution, but better for the kids. If they have their own cow, they can ensure the milk will be safe to drink. So tomorrow we are going to look at cows. The requirement is that the cow will produce at least 10 liters a day.
I will keep you posted on how the purchase is coming along. In the meantime start thinking of names for the cow!
Love to all!
Tracy
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Day in Nairobi
Hello everyone!
I am at an internet cafe again, so don't expect much...
Today two other volunteers - Stella and Vicki- and I came to Nairobi with a staff member from the orphanage- Erick. His family runs a center for children with cerebal pasley. It was great! Erick's family served us tea, and bread with butter! I haven't had butter since I left the states. We visited a family in the slums of Nairobi (mom, I promise it was safe!) who have TWO kids with CP. After that we went to the center where they offer therapy and other services to these family. They work with about 185 kids and work with budget of about $4500/ year!!!
We are on our way back to WWB. I missed the kids a bit today. I think I am starting to get attached. One of the girls, Amenia, gave me a hand written note on Friday evening. She said she was happy i was there, grateful for my time and God for sending me. At the end of the note she wrote - "Love God" It made my heart so happy! I know in my heart that it was another way God was communicating with me. I am in the right place right now and need to just focus on not only giving love, but learning to accept love.
All for now!
BTW - this time on the computer costs 25 schilings. I think it is like 50 cents
I love all of you, and bless you for supporting my trip.
TracyNAfrica
I am at an internet cafe again, so don't expect much...
Today two other volunteers - Stella and Vicki- and I came to Nairobi with a staff member from the orphanage- Erick. His family runs a center for children with cerebal pasley. It was great! Erick's family served us tea, and bread with butter! I haven't had butter since I left the states. We visited a family in the slums of Nairobi (mom, I promise it was safe!) who have TWO kids with CP. After that we went to the center where they offer therapy and other services to these family. They work with about 185 kids and work with budget of about $4500/ year!!!
We are on our way back to WWB. I missed the kids a bit today. I think I am starting to get attached. One of the girls, Amenia, gave me a hand written note on Friday evening. She said she was happy i was there, grateful for my time and God for sending me. At the end of the note she wrote - "Love God" It made my heart so happy! I know in my heart that it was another way God was communicating with me. I am in the right place right now and need to just focus on not only giving love, but learning to accept love.
All for now!
BTW - this time on the computer costs 25 schilings. I think it is like 50 cents
I love all of you, and bless you for supporting my trip.
TracyNAfrica
Friday, April 9, 2010
First Week -
Goodness this has been an interesting week. I am at an internet cafe in Thika. Thika is about 45 minutes from Makuyu,where the orphanage is. To get here we walked about 20 minutes to the bus stop to jump on a Matutu. The Matutu bus ride took about 45 minutes. I think we are the only white people in the area. Everyone stares at us as we walk by and kids come up wanting to touch our hands. I imagine it is the same experience as a movie star. The reason the kids are so interested in touching us is because they think we are grown babies. All people are born white, even Kenyans. So the kids think we are big white babies. I hope I am making sense. I don't have much time and my thoughts are racing in every direction.
Overall I have had a great time. There was a bit of adjustment time, but things seem to be getting easier. There are 6 other volunteers from all over. Two from San Diego, one from South Korea, one from Germany,one from Canada, and one from England.
The kids are great. They all have thier head shaved b/c of school. So it was hard to tell boys from girls. There are 34 in total, and I have started to get to know a handful of them. I have so many stories and thoughts in my head and so little time!
There have been some frustrating moments. For example, some of the kids have been sick this week and at first it seemed as if the staff wasn't doing anything to take care of them. That was not the case. They just handle things differently than I would. Also, there communication is different. I think because there are so many kids (34 in total), staff (8), and volunteers (7) they have time to make sure everyone knows what is going on.
I have also struggled to stay in the present. When I left I came with the desire to just serve and love others. That is still the case, but I started to feel like I needed to make a difference and change their lives forever. The more I accept how things are at that very moment and remind myself I don't have to make this huge impact. All I have to do is love.
I have been reading my bible, and landed on James today. The entire chapter speaks to what I am going through, and how God wants me to handle these things. If you have time read it. The chapter is not that long.
I have to go now. Hopefully the next time I blog I will be able to make sense.
Love to all!!!
Overall I have had a great time. There was a bit of adjustment time, but things seem to be getting easier. There are 6 other volunteers from all over. Two from San Diego, one from South Korea, one from Germany,one from Canada, and one from England.
The kids are great. They all have thier head shaved b/c of school. So it was hard to tell boys from girls. There are 34 in total, and I have started to get to know a handful of them. I have so many stories and thoughts in my head and so little time!
There have been some frustrating moments. For example, some of the kids have been sick this week and at first it seemed as if the staff wasn't doing anything to take care of them. That was not the case. They just handle things differently than I would. Also, there communication is different. I think because there are so many kids (34 in total), staff (8), and volunteers (7) they have time to make sure everyone knows what is going on.
I have also struggled to stay in the present. When I left I came with the desire to just serve and love others. That is still the case, but I started to feel like I needed to make a difference and change their lives forever. The more I accept how things are at that very moment and remind myself I don't have to make this huge impact. All I have to do is love.
I have been reading my bible, and landed on James today. The entire chapter speaks to what I am going through, and how God wants me to handle these things. If you have time read it. The chapter is not that long.
I have to go now. Hopefully the next time I blog I will be able to make sense.
Love to all!!!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
As the band "Peter, Paul & Mary" sang - I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane
Can't type much. About to leave the house to go to DFW. I was getting things together at the very last minute. Hope I can talk to you guys while I am there.
This is AWESOME!!
With Love -
Tracy
This is AWESOME!!
With Love -
Tracy
Roxy
God, I have a really big favor to ask... will you please keep Roxy safe while I am gond? I know dad will give her food and water and take her for a walk, but i am scared she will get out. Just please keep her safe. She has been with me 10 years and I am not ready to let her go.
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