Goodbye Baby Home

For the last few days, I have been quietly saying goodbye and giving lots of hugs and kisses.  I can't say enough about my experience here.  I would love to stay another month but can't - I have a very busy job waiting for me, grown children who really love me, a very sweet and understanding partner, pets and a house that I really missed - not to mention friends and family who support and love me. I have a great life and doubt I will take much for granted again. I will miss everything - the kids especially, but also the people, staff, new friends, Amy, Zoe and their kids.  I loved the morning walks with Zoe - always a different route and great conversations.

I have many wishes for the children.............
"May you always know love,
May you always be treated with dignity and respect,
May you all know your culture and your language,

May you know the love of your biological family, be adopted by a forever family
or live in a loving and caring place,
May this strong foundation of love and caring sustain you always." 

I am grateful to all those who supported me coming here and I hope you enjoyed reading the blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. If anyone does want to contribute further to "Forever Angels", please go on Amy's website to the "Just Giving" link and donate.  Every dollar counts - it costs a great deal of money to feed, house and clothe more than 50 children.  This is such a good cause - Amy also does outreach whenever she can, helping people in the community find places to live, to find jobs - "Forever Angels" is the most caring place I have ever seen. 

I hope to come back in a couple of years...............

Picture - "what kids love best, water, soap and sponges.......................on a hot day".....

A few more days.....

Another eventful week at the Baby Home.  A little boy Alfie went home to Dar Es Salaam with his grandmother this week.  She had permission from Social Welfare to take him and came to pick him up.  However, this was very sudden and he did not know her at all.  He must have felt so confused as the Baby Home was his home for a long time.  But his grandmother loves him and will take him home and he will hopefully have a wonderful life.  He did not have a transition time at all and not enough time to say goodbye to his friends and the Mama's or to understand what was happening.

There is another little boy about to go home with his father soon.  He came to visit his son yesterday and that went well.  These are good stories - children belong with their families whenever possible.  Yesterday, one of the children's sisters' came to the gate wanting to take her - the children's father had just committed suicide an hour early.  This little girl was also to go home this next month and now has no father.  It is unlikely that the 18year old sister can properly take care of all of her siblings but at any rate, Amy felt it was inappropriate to take this little 2 1/2 year old girl to a funeral with people she did not know.  Apparently, there is a lot of wailing that goes on at the funerals here.  These are the sad stories that have to be dealt with daily here.

Last night, Zoe, Amy's sister had us for dinner and it was great.  Pascal, the little boy who is staying with her is having a very difficult time adjusting.  He was very malnourished, abused and neglected for more than a year.  Likely because he was so hungry for so long, he just wants to eat and eat - he can't seem to get enough.  He was having quite the tantrum because he could not have "all" the food Zoe prepared for her children and Pascal.  Things will get better for Pascal - it is going to take time.  This morning I walked with Zoe - something I have enjoyed so much.  She is a great person, raising her two children alone and doing a brilliant job.  I can relate to her so much as I raised mine alone, for the most part.

Amy took us this morning to another orphanage about 30 minutes away and it was as different as night and day from the Baby Home.  Forever Angels is like the "Hilton" of orphanages in Tanzania.  The other orphange has 72 children from little to age 19 years with only 3 staff and NO volunteers.  It is a grim looking place - the children have no toys and I am sure not nearly enough to eat.  They sleep several to a bed.  The director has no license to have an orphanage and even though they do get money for a Children's Fund - it is not managed properly.  I doubt that I could volunteer there - I would not know even where to start.  I was expecting it to be different and don't shock easily but it was very sad indeed.  He doesn't even have enough money to buy medicine to de-worm the children and cough medicine.  I told Amy that I would like to contribute that money so she can buy the medicine.  It certainly was the least I could do - what a helpless feeling - having all those big eyes looking at you.

Back at the Baby Home, I went to my favourite place - to feed the tiny babies - although they have grown so much since I came.  I am attaching a picture of me feeding the newest tiny baby and one of Noah, stacking blocks.  He came to the Baby Home two weeks before I came here - severely malnourished and weak - not walking.  He is now pointing, giggling, walking and stacked blocks for 10-12 minutes - so focused.  He is a very bright little boy.  Unfortunately, his brother Moses is not doing so great - has medical issues that will hopefully improve.............

My last week here..........

It is impossible to believe that this is my last week here.  I have such mixed emotions as I have become so used to the routine and so attached to these children and fond of the staff.  I now know the children's  personalities and what makes them smile - there are so many that really tug at your heartstrings. 

This has  been an eventful week at the Baby Home.  The Bethany teenagers have been sent home for a period of time due to some behaviour issues.  The Bethany orphange is two hours away from here and Amy has agreed to take a group of them, mostly girls and two boys, to train them, teach them English and other skills so they will be employable.  They are teenagers who live with no parents but on their own in small houses in the village, so like most teenagers, test their boundaries.  However, they must adhere to the rules.  Hopefully they will return with a more mature attitude and willingness to follow the rules and boundaries.  They are so sweet though and everyone misses them already.

It has been a difficult week for Amy - a little boy Pascal was at the orphanage since he was a baby as his mother died in childbirth and his young father could not care for him.  His father remarried and Pascal went home about a year ago to live with his family, which is always the goal for these children whenever possible.  The other day, Pascal's father phoned Amy to ask her if Pascal could return to the Baby Home.  His step-mother has been neglecting and abusing him very badly.  He is malnourished, his hair has turned grey, his tummy distended - and he has difficulty walking.  He had been left for up to 12 hours daily all alone at age 3 while parents were at work.  His little face is so sad and he obviously has been beaten badly.  For some reason, his father was unable to protect him.  Social welfare has agreed that for the next period of time, he will be at the Baby Home, however, for the time being he is with Amy's sister Zoe and her children. In ordeer for him to return to the father, he must find another place to live without his wife.  They are living in Tanzania for the next year.  The story is on Amy's website.  He is a resilient little boy and will hopefully bounce back.  These stories are tragic and all too common here and all over the world for that matter.

The other night Catherine and I went to a local African restaurant with Amy and Zoe and their children and it was so much fun.  Their kids are so cute and funny.  Pascal came too and very much enjoyed his chicken and rice.

This week we are going to visit another orphanage with Amy so I look forward to that.  I have so much I want to do this week - I want to hug and cuddle each and every one of these children and take many more pictures so I never forget them.  I am trying to memorize all the visuals of life here - I wish I could take more pictures of the locals and how they live, how the women carry their babies on their backs, how they carry loads of things on their heads, and their beautiful African dresses but as I explained before, it is disrespectful and I don't want to be seen as this "white tourist" snapping away with my camera.

I am missing my family and my life in Canada and will be home soon but I will miss life here so much.  I am determined to return in a couple of years.  I strongly encourage any of you to think about doing something like this - it is very rewarding and feels amazing to step outside your comfort zone and your life to explore a different culture and country. 

I am attaching a couple of pictures of "Big Babies" - getting ready for bed................

Another good week

This was a very busy week.  Monday night, Zoe, Amy's sister arranged a boat ride on Lake Victoria for some children, staff and volunteers.  We left the Baby Home at 5:00 pm and got on the boat in Mwanza at Hotel Talapia.  It was a beautiful evening and the sunset was gorgeous.  The kids behaved so well.  One of the girls left today to go to Zanzibar and then back home to the States.  She was very sweet and positive and didn't complain.  We do have a complainer left and it gets very tiresome indeed.  This one is also very young and I try to be understanding but I did not come here to be a mother to a teenager. 

We went to Amy and Megan to Bugando Hospital to the HIV Clinic with several children for a check up and to do some blood work.  It is always interesting to see what happens there - it is a health system that is very frustrating for those who live here.  The kids were great and we got through quite quickly.  They will remain on medication and overall are doing very well, despite some developmental and speech delays.  Later on Catherine and I went into town again as I had to pay for my airline tickets to and from Zanzibar.  I leave here on the 23 rd of March and go to Dar Es Salaam.  My friend Mary has to go to India for surgery so she arranged for me to stay in her hotel for the night of the 23rd and then I will take the ferry to Zanzibar on the 24th and stay at Sunset Beach Bungalows in Kendwa - it is supposed to be beautiful and my little bungalow faces the sea.  I come back to Dar on the 27th by air and then leave that evening for Canada.  I am looking forward to the last few days just for me - to kind of process things and prepare for a busy and hectic April at home. 

There is a very small school next to the Baby Home and a wonderful man named Ernest is the teacher.  I met him last week on a walk with some kids and told him I would love to give him school supplies that I brought from home - pencils, crayons, markers etc.  He was so thrilled as they have nothing - the school is in an aluminum building that doubles as a church.  I went by to visit this week to give him the items and he was thrilled as were the kids.  I was very happy to be able to do such a small thing.  I will try to visit again before I leave.  I attached a picture of Ernest and the kids - one is his son who is deaf. 

Today, I worked a cover shift with the Tiny Babies from 7 am to 1 pm.  We have a new 2 week old baby girl who arrived this week.  Another very sad story - her mother - obviously suffering from mental health problems or post partum depression, threw the baby into the sewer.  She is now in jail and the baby is with Forever Angels as the father can't look after the baby for now.  She is very tiny but feeding well.  After my shift, we took three children into town to visit Kuliana's Street Kids Project - they have 40 something boys - the youngest is age 6 who live there and go to school.  There are many kids on the street and life is violent and horrible as you can imagine.  At the project, they are safe and able to go to school.  Currently there are some wonderful volunteers from the UK who are teaching them.  They came last Sunday to visit the Baby Home and are so sweet with the kids.  Today, they painted with the three kids we brought.

I thought about what I will miss and it is definitely the constant visuals and colour that you see all the time - just normal everyday life - so very different from Canada - just walking in the village to and from the Baby Home is always an experience.  I think my drive from Aurora to Oak Ridges is going to be very boring in comparison.  I love it here but think I am ready to come home.  I would love to come back in two years - we will see...................I will miss the kids for sure - I just love them and all their little individual personalities - just when you get to know them and they you - you have to leave...............

More excitement....

Yesterday, Catherine and I went into town.  My back had been strained for a day or so and I badly needed an afternoon out.  We took the Dala Dala to town and went to Hotel Talapia to have lunch.  Catherine had not been to the hotel and had not seen the beautiful view of Lake Victoria.  We had a great lunch and chat.  She is such a wonderful person and we get along so well.  After lunch, we took a taxi to a market.  After neogating the taxi fee - they always charge more to white people -and off we went.  We arrived at the market and I opened the taxi door after paying the driver.  A man on a bicycle ran straight into the door of the car and fell off his bike.  I was shocked and so frightened that he had been hurt - I had visions of being arrested in Africa.  He brushed himself off and said "no problem" and rode off.  Then we tried to shut the car door and it would not shut.  I looked at the driver and he looked at me.  I thought I might have to buy him a new car door.  He said, "no problem" and I said "but it is a problem".  I gave him 10,000 shillings which is a lot of money here but only $10.00 Canadian.  He was so pleased and I was relieved and again apologized.  Off we went to the market.  That is when Catherine realized her favourite sweater had been left in the car.  She was annoyed with herself.  About 15 minutes later, guess who appeared - the taxi driver looking for us so he could return the sweater.  We were amazed at his kindness - she gave him another 5000 shillings and we took his number and name - Paul.  Catherine calls these moments - "Champagne Moments" and they truly are.

Today, I went to the Baby Home early and part way through the morning, I took Pili and Zwadi for a walk back to the volunteer house to get my camera and to give them some juice.  They are so happy to get out for a walk.  We also took some headbands back to the Baby Home so the kids could try them on and have them for their dress-up bin.  My good friend Ellen who owns "Beaners Fun Cuts for Kids" in Newmarket gave them to me to bring here.  Well, they were such a hit - attached see a picture of the girls - the boys also tried them on - even the Mama's.

After work, Catherine and I went to pick up a skirt she had made in the market from Sophia - she let me take her picture.  People here do not like having their picture taken and are offended by it.  You have to be very careful about this and always have to ask permission.  Imagine, someone you don't know coming up to your house wanting to take pictures of you and your children.  I asked Sophie if I could take her picture and she said "yes" and posed away.  Then we went to the market and I had little barrettes, little stuffed animals and some balls for the kids.  Today I decided to give a few out to some children.  The lady at the vegetable stand said I could take her picture of her and Angel.  The ladies at the Duka shop were so excited to have their picture taken.  I will make sure to send a copy.  We buy eggs, milk, water and phone time at the little Duka shop.  So it was a good day.................except little Lily is hospitalized for a few days as she has been so sick and no one seems to know what she has.  Little Anthonly has just been discharged from hospital.  This is such a problem here - there is always something going around,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sorry - an extra picture is attached.........

The Baby Home

The Baby Home is amazing.  Amy and her staff have a routine and a schedule like no other I have ever seen.  She is passionate about the children and it's like she is the Mama to all of them.  Meghan, Zoe, another Amy, Jade  and staff all work very hard as well to make this orphanage a very smooth running spot.  It is like a 24-7 child-care except the children don't go home at night.  They are brothers and sisters to each other - sometimes nice to each other and sometimes not so nice - like all kids.  Children in Tanzania are raised much differently than children in the Western world.  You see little wee ones walking on the roads with cars buzzing by, little kids holding other smaller kids, kids without toys, playing the dirt with a stick but they do not seem unhappy.  However, many children are not protected from things they should be. Many children get hurt or burned by falling into a cooking fire.  A mud hut collapsed the other day near here, killing one child and seriously injuring another.

 Amy is adamant that her staff speak and act appropriately in front of the children.  A few recently have been let go because they were speaking about things that were inappropriate.  She pays them well above the minimum wage and offers them good benefits and opportunities as well as training.  There are many people out of work here so there are always many applications for jobs.

The children are so wonderful and I am getting to know them better every day.  There are so many volunteers coming and going - we get attached to them but they don't really get attached to us.  It is up to us to make their day interesting and fun.  We have had a lot of rain lately so they are stuck inside - and they get cranky like all kids do.  Since I have been here, I have watched Noah and Moses learn to walk.  They came to the Baby Home a few weeks before I came here.  Their mother died and their elderly grandmother could not care for them.  They were malnourished, have very low muscle tone but are catching up quickly.  When Noah walks, his whole face is smiling - he is so happy with himself.  They hardly smiled when I first met them but now are much happier.  I must admit, I have a soft spot for them.   We spend time with all the children but my favourite times are the quiet times feeding the tiny babies.  They just gaze up at you and it melts your heart - especially when you remember that many of them do not have families and might never get adopted.  Some of the kids have been sick with random fevers, skin conditions and coughs.  Amy and her staff just figure it out and give them the medication they need. 

While the children are at "Forever Angels", they are loved, fed well, cared for and educated.  This is a great foundation for them - to have the nourishment, attention and love that will hopefully help sustain them for whatever is in their future.  Life is not easy here, especially for children who are so vulnerable. 

This picture is of a very special little boy who will hopefully be going to live with his new Mom and Dad very soon.  I made songboards for the pre-school and the teacher Rosemary is doing the "If your happy and you know it" one with the kids.  I got such pleasure just watching how they enjoyed it - taking turns - sitting quietly and watching.

One month left...........

Time is going so fast and there is so much I still want to do.  I want to visit other orphanages and spend some time at a project for street children in Mwanza.  They have a project where 47 boys from 5-17 are living and going to school.  I have met some of the volunteers and it is a great project.  The boys also make jewellry which is beautiful.

This week I went to another community called Igoma - the town of Stouffville, Ontario is a partner of the Health Centre there and they have been raising money since 2004 - Mr. Matari showed me around and it is great.  They do a lot of prenatal care, childbirth, have two doctors, and will be expanding soon to do small surgeries.  I have heard about this from my clients in Stouffville and it was great to visit and hear about the great work they are doing.  People come from far villages to seek treatment which is mostly free.

This coming week, I am doing child development workshops for the Bethany teenagers who are training at the orphanage - these girls are wonderful and will hopefully find a job and be independent once they finish training.  I am looking forward to this opportunity - also have a translator but most speak some English.

I am working harder than I have worked in a long time - it is physically exhausting but I have just as much energy as the 20 year olds.  They have all been sick and I have yet to be ---let's hope that continues.

I am still in awe of the work that Amy and her staff do here.  I am learning so much about life in Africa.  I am grateful to live in Canada - we take so much for granted - like health care and education......I am attaching two pictures - one of Catherine (from the UK) and myself wearing Kanga's and carrying babies on our backs the way people do here.  The Mama's were laughing to hard putting the babies on our backs- my baby is very small so hard to see.  The other picture is me and two of my favourite twins -  they are three months old and beautiful.  They have elderly grandparents who are very, very poor - the babies might go back to family at some point.  That is always the goal, if possible.  Adoption is nearly impossible - it takes now three years for international adoption and the parents have to live here during that time.  Everything here takes a long, long time.........

Daily Life

Up early with roosters crowing, birds chirping, dogs barking and the call to the Mosque at 4am.  I try to walk early with whoever else is walking - usually Jade, a long term volunteer from Australia.  You see so much walking - other villages, people cooking breakfast, washing dishes outside, washing clothes, cooking on an open fire, kids walking to school and other kids playing in the dirt.

This morning we walked along the shore of Lake Victoria and came to a spot that we could not cross because of about 30 feet or more of water.  Fishermen were laughing at us and for 500 shillings -50 cents, brought their rowboat over and gave us a lift to the other side.  It was so funny.

We work different shifts - 6:30 am to 11:30 am or 3 pm to 7 pm but I usually work longer as I want to get more out of this experience.  I am also going to do workshops for staff and the Bethany teenage girls on child development starting next week.  I am also helping them come up with more ideas in terms of sensory activities etc.  We do activities with small groups of children, take them for walks to the market, take the teeny babies out to the garden on a blanket.

We get local produce at the market, vegetables and fruit - amazing mangoes.  In the market there are Duka shops to buy water, eggs, bread etc.  There is a seamstress, Sophie who made a couple of shirts and bags for me.  They know me now and always have a greeting and a smile.  Yesterday, I took pencils, balls and hair clips for the kids.  They were so excited.

I am attaching two pictures - one with the kids playing with Insta-Snow I brought - they just could not understand the concept of snow but it was fun - also a picture of a great Mama - Rosalie and me.  She wants me to bring her back to Canada with me.  I wish I could!!

On Safari

I went on safari with Shelley from Chicago.  We left on Friday morning - driver Charles and cook Yasim picked us up at the volunteer house at 8:30 am and we were at the Serengeti gate by 12 noon.  I don't know when I have been so excited.  We begin to see animals right away, Impalas, alligators, giraffes, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, wild buffalo, warthogs, leopards sleeping in a tree - this was day 1.  The landscape constantly changes as we drive with beautiful umbrella trees.  It is surreal to see these animals in their natural habitat.  Charles has been guiding for 15 years to is very knowledgeable and answered my many questions.  We arrived at camp on Night 1 - beautiful sunset, ate dinner, slept in an uncomfortable tent hoping I did not have to go to the washroom. 

Up early in the morning for a game drive and then back to camp for breakfast.  Off we go again to see more animals and visit a Masai village.  It was amazing - men can have more than one wife - marriages are arranged - you are rich depending on how many cows you have- they only eat meat and goats milk mixed with goats blood.  The make the most beautiful jewellry - women make the houses, raise the children, make the jewellry and the men look after the animals.  I have so much to say about this tribe but there just isn't room today.

Then on the the Ngorongoro Crater area.  The crater is 20 km. wide and absolutely beautiful with forests, swamps on the crater floor.  The local Masai people share the crater area with the animals and have many villages here.  They have the grazing rights for their cattle.

We saw many more animals - another uncomfortable camping night - note to self - book lodge next time.  During the night, wild buffalo were in the campsite grazing.  We could hear them munching the grass and snorting a little.  I was happy to see morning.

We drove back to Mwanza today seeing more animals on the way - an 8 hour drive.  Finally home for a welcome shower.  This truly was an experience of a lifetime that I shall never forget..............

Time is flying by...........

It is very busy here - working early or working late - going in for extra hours to feed babies, cuddle and play.  They never seem to get enough one-to-one time - always group time.  Some of my favourite babies are Anna, Amani, Sharlom and Charles, George, Moses, Noah, Margaret, Emmanuel, Angel and Ella and many more.  They are beautiful.  It is so sad that many mothers died giving birth to these children - hard to believe in this day and age.  Most people cannot afford medical care. 

A few of us went on a hike the other day up to Dancing Rock - a beautiful view on top of these giant boulders which Mwanza is known for - called Rock City- surrounded by enormous boulders.  It is on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake and the second largest fresh water lake in the world.  It is the second largest city in Tanzania but feels more like a town - just two hours from the Serengeti.

Most locals rely on fishing and small scale farming for a living.  There is a strong Indian influence here with mosques and also Hindu temples as well as many Christians.  The main tribe here is the Sukuma - largest ethnic group of Tanzania.

I am enjoying the simplicity of life here, forget the hair, forget the make-up - just sunscreen and mosquito repellent - unless we go out for dinner.  Weather is great so just flip-flops and T-shirts.....We wear clothes we don't care about to the Baby Home because we get spit up on, peed on and you know the rest.  We walk everywhere unless we go into town.  In fact, a few of us are walking daily now for fitness........feels good.

There are things I don't like - living with lots of people, very little privacy, being woke up by dogs barking, roosters crowing and the call to the Mosque at 4 am.   I miss my home routine but time is going quickly and I will be back soon enough..........

Happy Valentines Day

It has been a busy few days.  We have two new babies at the Baby Home - Happy is 2 months old and Emmanuel is 9 months old - they were both abandoned and Amy chose names and birthdates for them.  They are beautiful and seem very healthy.  There is no information about their history. Babies are abandoned here all the time as people are very poor and can't feed them - or parents are very sick.  There are many reasons.  I spent time with Mama Anna who spends afternoons with the children with special needs.  We took Elizabeth for a walk in the stroller in the garden as she rarely gets out.  She saw the kids through the garden fence and they sang to her.  We spent time with the other kids in the Sensory Room doing stretches and massage.  It is sad here for kids with special needs, there is no physio, or OT, or speech therapy - no funding for equipment- no accessibility in Tanzania.  The future looks bleak for them.  They can stay here until age 5 and then need to go another orphanage - none are as good as here apparently so it is very sad.

My new roomate Catherine arrived from the UK - she is lovely and down to earth.  We hit it off right away.

I took her into town by myself on the Dala Dala to show her the post office, the bank, to get her phone organized and to buy some food.  Hard to believe that I now am showing people around a town in Africa.  A few of us went to dinner last night to celebrate her arrival.  She is staying for 3 months.

There is a birthday party at the Baby House for all the kids who celebrate birthdays in Jan. and Feb.  It's fun - we have balloons and cake.  The kids have so much fun.

Today - Sunday - we took some toddlers for a walk to the market and then I went to the Sava Sava market with Jade who is a long term volunteer.  A good few days.  Looking forward to the safari this Friday - we get picked up early in the morning and are gone until Sunday night.  Hope everyone is well.

Thanks for reading...........

Another day..........

Yesterday and today I started work at 6:30 am when the big and little toddlers wake up.  They "play" and listen to music until 7:30 and then have breakfast.  It is mayhem with highchairs in a row and food everywhere.  Then they are changed and bathed and we go out to the garden to play.  I spent some time in the preschool and showed Rosemary the mama who teaches some of my songboards and matching games I made.  She was thrilled to have new ideas.  There was a staff meeting so the volunteers spent time watching the kids - most of them were sleeping except for the little tiny babies - we were feeding, burping - babies crying - think Jon and Kate plus 11.......

Forever Angels has a teenage program training girls and two boys so they will be able to find a job.  They are from another orphanage called Bethany.  They are so sweet - last night they came over and made dinner for the volunteers.  They were dancing and had so much fun.  I gave the boys CANADA t-shirts and hats.  They were so happy.

Today, I went into town by myself in a taxi to the Talapia Hotel and had a pedicure - it felt so great - you have no idea.  At the baby home, everyone must go barefoot, inside and out so you can imagine the feet.

That is all for now.  Tomorrow my new roomate from the UK arrives - hope she is nice..........

I am at the Baby Home for one week today

I can't believe I am here a week already.  I am getting the hang of the schedule - with 50 children, it is a tight and consistent routine.  Amy is the most organized and passionate person I have ever met. 

I went into town yesterday with Shelley and we met Mehboob who owns Musimuns Tours - he had contacted me in Canada as he knows people that I know from Tanzania.  He was told to "take very good care of me" - that felt good.    We are going on safari Feb. 19-21st in the Serengeti -hopefully more people will join us and it will be cheaper.  However, one could not go away for the weekend for what the safari costs.  It is tenting but very safe - only a few people get killed every month (just kidding).  That would not be good for tourism.

It was my day off but I went to the Teeny Tiny baby house to feed Amina, Anna and Charles and to cuddle Ashley and to do tummy time with him.  He was premature and has some special needs - he is constantly arching backwards so needs lots of tummy time.  I just love those babies - but I promise Jaye, I will not sneak one home.  I took a couple of babies out to the garden for blanket time with another Mama - I showed her some pictures of my family.  She was so pleased to hear a bit about my life.

Little Elizabeth has Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and has had 3 shunt operations.  It is unlikely that she can endure another one.  She has had fevers for several days so they tested her for malaria.  Poor little thing, her head is so big, she can't even  hold it up.

People here are so poor, children play with sticks in the dirt - many people live in simple shacks.  I brought toys and balls for them but will wait as once they realize that "the white person" is giving things, they are all over you.  This is another world and not at all fair but it is reality for Africa - unlikely to change soon.

More later - thanks for reading.  I promise more pictures of beautiful children............soon!

My first weekend here.........

It has been a very interesting few days.  I went to the Masi Market on Friday and it started to pour rain so we ended up in the Masi grandmothers (Bibi) little hut with her and her two grandchildren.  She makes the most beautiful jewellry.  I was wonderful - with a little help in the translation we found out she is in Mwanza for the last year and will be going back to her village in Arusha soon.  What a lovely woman - taking care of her grandkids and working hard.

It has rained a bit on and off.  Tonight two of us took a taxi back from town after having dinner and the taxi driver got a bit lost but eventually we got home.  Everyone is very nice.  Of course you have to be careful and be sensible but I think most people are very kind. 

I spent more time in the Teeny Baby House - my favourite place - feeding bottles, burping babies, giving them "tummy time".  Jana, if you are reading, Freida wants to know when you are coming back........

All is well - another busy week ahead and more adventure I am sure.  Shelley (from Chicago) and I are going to try to organize a safari for the last weekend of Feb.

I will keep in touch.....

This is me in front of the baby home and a "Mama" drumming for the kids.....

Already here in Africa for a week

I arrived last Saturday night and can't believe this week went by so quickly.  At times, I have really missed my family, Lonny, Maggie and Petrie - my bed, my kitchen and all the things one takes for granted - like hot water, electricity - which all go off at some point daily.  Life here is very simple.  You go to the local market for vegatables and some fruit and even to get a skirt made.  Most people don't speak English - only Swahli but you quickly learn a few words.  Karibu is welcome, Assante is thank you, Polya is sorry (when people and kids are begging for money) and Jambo or Mambo for hello....they really appreciate it when you try to speak a little. 

We are very safe here and have guards and dogs day and night both at the volunteer house and baby home.  So don't worry about me.................

There is a volunteer from Spain, one from Germany, one from the UK, one from New York state, one from Chicago and another coming next week.  I have been lucky to have my own room and bathroom for now but have to Ishare starting this coming Thursday.  The house is very busy, the fridge very tiny, it was dirty but I cleaned it.  There are a few cockroaches - ooh - but you get used to it they tell me.

Last night the volunteers went to Talapia Hotel for dinner with Amy and Meghan.  It is a beautiful hotel on Lake Victoria.  That is where they go on their days off to relax.  I am off today but am going into town with another volunteer (Amy from the States) and her mother and then working with the teeny tiny babies.  I also want to work with several children with CP and other special needs in the Snozellen Room (Sensory room) - just like the one at our office.  Someone in the UK donated all the items for the Sensory Room - there is not another one in the whole of Tanzania.

I want to work as much as possible and get the most out of this experience.  I also want to get to know all the Mama's better (staff).  I am a Mama too except no one can say Dorothy so I am finally, Mama Darcy.

Talk to you soon.......

P.S.  Jana, if you are reading, they remember you - thank you for the pictures and everyone has this big smile when your name is mentioned...............

Working at the Baby Home

This is my second day of working at the Baby Home - yesterday from 2:00 - 7:30 pm doing training.  In the morning we went into down on a small bus called "Dala Dalas" - crowded with people.  We went to the hectic market, grocery store, saw where the bank was and had lunch.  When you think town, think basic...
The kids are really wonderful - the older ones really attention seek.  They see many different volunteers come through so they know the new ones - they try to get away with everything.  There are tiny babies, older babies, little toddlers and big toddlers and a preschool.  We get to experience everything while we are here and can work as much as we want.

Today, Amy and Meghan asked two of us to go into Mwanza with them to the hospital to pick up two new little babies - we arrived and Social Welfare did not have the paperwork ready so we could not take them.  Amy will get them later today.  One is 2 months old and the other is 6 months.  Not much is known about either baby.  I did get to hold and cuddle the little one who looks more like a new born.

Back to the Baby Home to do lunch, play in the pre-school and feed Charles his bottle.

This afternoon, a rest (I started work at 6:15 am) and then going to dinner with another long term volunteer and her mother who are from the States.

Bye for now..................

In Tanzania

I have not had internet for some days so I will catch up.  I left Toronto on Friday, Jan 29th.  My wonderful friend Jana drove me to the airport and helped me sort through some luggage issues.  Thanks to her and Air Canada's Fabien, I only had to pay ?????for my overweight bags.  Not that much really.  My friend Susan came and joined us for a glass of wine and then I was off.  I had really mixed feelings for sure.  Finally on the plane to Zurich and then to Dar Es Salaam.  I was met by relatives of a friend of mine in Richmond Hill.  They were so wonderful to me for the weekend.  They sorted out my phone SIM card and got an internet stick for the computer as well as took me to exchange US for Tanzanian Shillings.  They took me to dinner, I had lunch with Zanat at the UN.  She showed me around and told me about her projects all over Tanzania, mostly in remote villages.

This morning I was off again to Mwanza.  I got to the airport and again had some anxiety over the luggage.  But, I showed the kind man my letter to Forever Angels and he did not charge me anything...........I was very grateful.  Most of the items are for the kids.

Amy picked me up from the airport.  All this time, reading her web site and e-mailing her...it was so great to meet her.  She dropped my things off at the Volunteer House where I met my "roomates" - all young 20 year olds.  Another woman comes Thursday and she is a bit older - but they are very nice and made me lunch.

I had a tour of the baby home and got to cuddle some of the babies that I have been reading about.  It was surreal.  I get to kind of orient myself today and tomorrow and then I begin.  They will show me the town tomorrow - I will get some food, water etc.  So at the moment, I have unpacked and am sitting on my single bed under a mosquito net - doing my blog.  Thanks for reading.....

Now my bags are packed............

It has been a very busy week - making sure everything is done at work and that my clients are supported and happy.  The packing has been difficult - I want to take everything that I have collected and been given this year but as of this moment, I have not been pre-approved for over weight baggage so am having to leave some things behind.  I have been trying with the help of my friend Asgarali since November to get the approval.  He got referred to this person and that person - still no decision.  My baggage will be overweight so I am going to have to use my charm to try to get them to allow the weight.  We will see how that goes.  I down sized to a more reasonable sized suitcase - but still  have two pieces - both overweight.

It is emotional as I have never done anything like this before.  But it is something I must do and I will do.  I hope I do it well.  It will be difficult to be away from my family, my pets, my bed, my home and my routine, but it is only eight weeks.  Anyone can do something difficult for eight weeks. 

Thanks again to all who cheered me on, gave me support and encouragement.  Thank you to my wonderful friends and family,  my teammates who are awesome and all those who tolerated my constant talk about this adventure.  I think even my mother now understands.

I leave at 6:20 pm on Friday, Jan. 29th and will spend the weekend in Dar Es Salaam with family members of a friend of mine here.  I appreciate that so much - they will pick me up at the airport, take care of me, take me to the Canadian Embassy to register and then I am off to Mwanza on Tuesday morning.

Wish me luck...................

My bags are almost packed..........

January 18, 2010

The time is coming close and I am so busy packing and attending to last minute details.  I was given two box's of slightly used soccer balls from the Oak Ridges Soccer Club.  Thank you Nicole and Sam.  Can you imagine the joy children will have playing soccer?   The world cup is in South Africa this year so it is very exciting to be taking these balls with me.  Maybe this can be a yearly event for the soccer club - sending off their used soccer balls to kids who don't have anything to play with.  "The gift of play".... Somehow I will fit them in..............Another friend gave me baby booties, another friend blankets, another friend Insta Snow - a product that mixes with water and viola - snow.  It's even cold.............I will be able to show kids what happens in Canada during the winter....I have sent the money off to the orphanage and now have my visa back from Ottawa.  I have organized my house and my work the best I can.  I wake up in the night wondering what I will forget...have lists everywhere and my emotions are very close to the surface.  But I feel great - I never thought I could do something like this.  So many people have been so supportive and encouraging.  For those cynical people out there (you know who you are) - well they have their own journey.

The fundraiser is finished...........

Well the fundraiser is finished and I am very happy to report that I raised much more than I had anticipated.  I am very humbled and touched by the interest created by my fundraiser for Fovever Angels.  I have met so many wonderful and caring people throughout this process.

Last night I had the draw.  I had my brother Wayne and his wonderful family, his wife Pam, daughters Lori, Dana and Jenna - also Mitch - Dana's boyfriend.  Jaye and Andrew were present as well.  Unfortunately, Jeffrey and Able were not able to attend as they had a previous engagement.  Jenna made a wonderful poster which touched me more than I can say.  She is a wonderful niece and is the love of my life.  She and I did the draw together and it was so much fun.  Now I will deliver the prizes and thank people for participating.  It was wonderful to have my family present - my brother and  his family are always in my corner and support anything I do.  Thank you for being the best family anyone could ever ask for.

Thank you all for buying a ticket, selling tickets or even considering buying a ticket.  This money will help support all the children at the orphanage................let's all hope they will one day have a family as wonderful as mine.