Day 19

Ninapenda Boona Baana watoto - I love the Boona Baana kids <3

Yesterday, as we were pulling away from the Green Door Home, I realized that I had fallen in love with the 7 kids (and all their friends). For growing up without anything constant in their entire life, each one of those children has brought me so much joy and encouragement. The oldest boy, L, talked to me about his insight about international aid and the Tanzanian government's response. What a fascinating conversation that was! And to my delight, we actually agreed on a lot of stuff :) Then there is T, who is actually the daughter of the lady who started Boona Baana but she hangs out there with us a lot. She is a typical, girlie, 13 year old - as is A and E (who is still just a preteen). They love Jaden Smith and Justin Bieber, while the boys like football and have a crush on Willow Smith ;)

The lucky ones at Boona Baana were adopted when they were still babies, but for the other 7, they will probably remain at the Green Door Home until they start their own family. L is 16 and hopes to be a film director one day. As much passion and drive that he has, in addition to book smarts and street skills, it saddens me to think that it is harder to break out of the cycle of poverty in Africa than almost anywhere else. Thankfully, with a sponsorship from Australia, L is able to go to an international school, receive a British education certificate, and has a better chance of getting into university and finishing a degree. I hope that nothing stops him, because I know he has so much potential! But after getting to know this boy and the others, after only just two weeks, I care so much for them and my dream is now that they all will achieve their own dreams one day. <3

With love,