Day 7 / Green Door Home

So week 1 is down. And to be honest, it's been a rough week. The first few days were okay, because I was in a fog. But after I realized how far away from my family and boyfriend I was, and after my expectations for Dar were completely thrown out the window, I wasn't sure if I could do it. But I am not a quitter, and I really do like it here. Just takes some getting used to, especially since I am a rare species that grew up thinking that my family were my best friends for life (which is true! but uncommon...) and without them here it's pretty sad, not gonna lie ;)

Today I went to the Boona Baana Centre for Children's Rights (aka Green Door Home - although right now the door is yellow) and met the kids that I will be working with all summer! So after my melt down this morning, I couldn't help but smile when I got there. There are 7 kids, between the ages of 10 and 16. They are pretty much orphans, and with a house mother that is not much older than them they basically take care of themselves. One of the boys, Samuel (he is 13), had the biggest grin on his face the entire time we were there. How can you frown in front of a person like that? He brought me more joy than he will ever know. I am excited to be leading a neighbourhood book club on Mondays and Thursdays, which will likely require me to learn a lot more Swahili! We are also thinking about doing an HIV prevention program with them with the neighbourhood kids to do our very small part in helping reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and contribute to maintaining the health of these children.

In addition, we have set aside Sundays for "fun days" with the kids, and are hoping to make a movie with them. It was cool how that idea came up, because I thought it would be a fun little thing to get to know the kids but it turns out that Linus, the "big brother" at the house, is hoping to be a film maker one day! Samuel also enjoys making cartoons. After learning this, it definitely seemed like a God-thing to make a movie with the kids to keep them occupied and hopefully teach them a skill for their future. I am so stoked to get to know these kids! I know it will probably be challenging, with the constant struggle of gaining their trust as well as teaching them knowledge and skills that they can use for a life time.

Prayer for the Green Door Home would be much appreciated! Especially for the hearts of these children, and that my fellow interns and I will find the right balance between teaching and just having fun with them.

Here is where I stopped for lunch before we headed to the Green Door Home ;)

With love,