We rose early, ate breakfast and headed to EAMO . . . East Africa Mission Orphanage. The orphanage was started 14 years ago by two Australians, Ralph and May. Although the beginnings of EAMO were small and humble, today they provide shelter, love and education for over 200 children. The nearby town of Nakuru is a fair size, however there are 72 orphanages in the immediate area. The needs here are huge.
When we entered the orphanage compound we could hear the children singing. It had been arranged ahead of time that we would enjoy a short program by the children and attend their Sabbath services. Nellie was taking pictures and we were almost the last to enter the church. We were directed to sit amongst the children as the rest of our group had done. There was an empty seat at the end of a row of young girls who had their hair beautifully done and after I introduced myself to them I asked 'if I did my hair like hers would I be young and beautiful too?' Well, they started laughing and we started laughing and we all made so much noise I thought we might be asked to leave.
We enjoyed the choir as the children had prepared some songs for us and afterward they had the opportunity to show us around the orphanage. Two 11 year old boys attached themselves to Charlie and our friendship lasted thru the next day as well. Throughout the day the boys held my hand everywhere we went and if we stopped to sit they climbed on my knees or pulled the hair on my arms and legs. Africans are not as hairy as we white folk are . . . really, I think they just craved attention.
They proudly showed off their dorm and classrooms, afterwards we all ate lunch together. The lunch room is divided with boys on one side and girls on the other with each group setup with tables by age.
Nellie in the meantime had twelve year old Veronica who had picked her out of the arrival crowd and stayed with her the rest of the afternoon. She was shown the girls dorm, the nursery where Veronica likes to help and the laundry facilities where she also has chores to do.
Veronica has been at this home for six years with her three sisters. Both parents died of Aids in the months just before and after the birth of the now six year old sister. Their grandmother just couldn’t take of an infant and the three other girls so dropped them here at the front gate. They do see her on occasion but basically they have no other family. Many of the other children have far worse stories . . . it is really heart wrenching to hear.
After lunch there was a gathering with speeches and photos in celebration of the opening of the new boys’ dorm which was built with the help of A Better World. The facility is not quite finished but they wanted to do the celebration while the Better World group was here.
They are not going to actually move the boys in until it is completely finished because by past experience if they were to do that the finishing may never happen. They are very proud and happy with what’s been done so far and are looking forward to the extra space this will provide. The dorm has been built with expansion in mind and they will easily be able to do simple renovations to add a second floor or loft type rooms for accepting the younger boys as they grow or even more children in the future.
When we entered the orphanage compound we could hear the children singing. It had been arranged ahead of time that we would enjoy a short program by the children and attend their Sabbath services. Nellie was taking pictures and we were almost the last to enter the church. We were directed to sit amongst the children as the rest of our group had done. There was an empty seat at the end of a row of young girls who had their hair beautifully done and after I introduced myself to them I asked 'if I did my hair like hers would I be young and beautiful too?' Well, they started laughing and we started laughing and we all made so much noise I thought we might be asked to leave.
We enjoyed the choir as the children had prepared some songs for us and afterward they had the opportunity to show us around the orphanage. Two 11 year old boys attached themselves to Charlie and our friendship lasted thru the next day as well. Throughout the day the boys held my hand everywhere we went and if we stopped to sit they climbed on my knees or pulled the hair on my arms and legs. Africans are not as hairy as we white folk are . . . really, I think they just craved attention.
They proudly showed off their dorm and classrooms, afterwards we all ate lunch together. The lunch room is divided with boys on one side and girls on the other with each group setup with tables by age.
Nellie in the meantime had twelve year old Veronica who had picked her out of the arrival crowd and stayed with her the rest of the afternoon. She was shown the girls dorm, the nursery where Veronica likes to help and the laundry facilities where she also has chores to do.
Veronica has been at this home for six years with her three sisters. Both parents died of Aids in the months just before and after the birth of the now six year old sister. Their grandmother just couldn’t take of an infant and the three other girls so dropped them here at the front gate. They do see her on occasion but basically they have no other family. Many of the other children have far worse stories . . . it is really heart wrenching to hear.
After lunch there was a gathering with speeches and photos in celebration of the opening of the new boys’ dorm which was built with the help of A Better World. The facility is not quite finished but they wanted to do the celebration while the Better World group was here.
They are not going to actually move the boys in until it is completely finished because by past experience if they were to do that the finishing may never happen. They are very proud and happy with what’s been done so far and are looking forward to the extra space this will provide. The dorm has been built with expansion in mind and they will easily be able to do simple renovations to add a second floor or loft type rooms for accepting the younger boys as they grow or even more children in the future.
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