A Night at Tumaini

Tumaini (Swahili for "Hope") is an orphanage for kids who have AIDS or who have lost their parents to AIDS. There are roughly 34 kids at the orphanage - from 8 months old to 14 years old. The kids are simply beautiful. The orphanage is run by an amazing British woman, who built the orphanage and has dedicated her life to the kids. There are "mothers" who are employed to loook after the kids.

Yesterday, I spent a night at Tumaini. We were briefed on HIV and how to approach any potential situations, that might arise. Our mission was to help all 34 kids get to bed and get them dressed up in the morning. This is a summary of the last 12 hours:

We got there and helped feed the kids at dinner time. The infants and todlers had to be fed. I fed Salma (2 year old and sick) and Ap. Salma has a big personality and was almost bullying the older kids. Here she is modeling sunnies.

Then we got all the kids into bed by 8pm.

We slept in the dorm with the kids to keep an eye out for anyone who woke up with nightmares etc. Lukily no one did.

  

5am wake up the next morning. Then the daunting task of waking up 34 kids and getting them ready for school. We had to find the bed wetters and get the sheets off.

All the kids brushed their teeth. I helped the 2 - 4 year olds brush their teeth.

Then all were bathed and dried. The Kenyan kids rub vaseline on their skin (Kenyan heat is very dry). The girls dressed in Kenyan Girl Guildes uniform. Then breakfast was dished out to 34 kids. It worked like clockwork. The older kids helped the younger kids get ready.

The energy of the place was so warm and welcoming. The kids were so happy and well settled. It was amazing to watch how the older kids looked out for the younger kids. Some were sick, some were not. Yet, they were all one happy family.

All in all, a heart warming experience! I can't wait to go back to Tumaini.

~ lizelle