A life without cause is a life without effect. ~Barbarella
My two week orientation at Amani Children's Home introduced me to the amazing staff who put so much of their time, energy and care in to the kids, gave me the rundown of the great programs Amani offers and allowed me some time to interact with the children before I get too anchored to my desk. I also got to work with the street educators in Arusha, getting a sense of where the Amani kids were before they came to the center.
I've read about the realities of life on the street as a child, but it wasn't until I was there, looking in to these kids' eyes that I understood more of what they endure. I watched this boy, maybe 15 but looks 11 due to malnourishment, inhale glue until he slumped on the ground. It dulled his hunger and helped him to escape and make it another night on the street. As we moved on down the road, and he came down a bit, he took my hand, glad for the attention, and proceeded to read off the signs and billboards we passed. I kept thinking, wow, this kid is smart. Not only can he read, but he is reading and pronouncing the signs in perfect English. How tragic that this bright boy is out here on his own, facing beatings, hunger, rape, and general cruelty. Leaving family and friends was difficult, but this is why I am here and committed to doing the best job that I possibly can. We ended the night leaving 5 boys at the Bus Stand with chai and a snack, and then it was up to them to keep safe for the night and find a decent spot to rest in the chilly Arusha air.
Two boys, the youngest of the group, were at the bus stand bright and early the next morning, waiting to go back to Amani with us. The staff on the bus yelled and harassed them, doubting they were with us or that they had the money to pay the fare. From there, the next stop was the top of the road to Amani, where one of the boy's eyes lit up as we approached the building. Then, to walk in and see smiles, hear laughter and know the severity of where these kids were before truly confirmed why I'm here and prompted me to say, that for once, I truly Love my job!
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| Jump rope with back flips |
And then there is the fact that I also love where I'm living. It's taking me a while longer than I had hoped to get the interior set up, getting the fabric I purchased sewn in to bed covers (and a skirt!), my dining room table fixed and getting the hardware to hang the final pair of curtains, but bit by bit, it's coming together and feels like home. Here's a preview of the grounds and exterior:
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The compound where I live...
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| So lush, and check out that huge fanning palm to the left of the gate! |
