Orphanage and "Giving Them Hope"

This morning Kelly went to the orphanage with some friends of Faith's from church, Kelly and Jaime. The nuns who worked closely with Mother Teresa started this orphanage. While there, we played with children around ages 2-5. Many of them just wanted to be held no matter what else you were doing or who else you were playing with. There were several children there with a wide range of disabilities which just breaks your heart.  They don't allow cameras so unfortunately we will not be able to post any pictures.

After the orphanage we went to a sewing "shop". It is actually more like a community outreach center where they take in woman who have been victims of domestic violence. The organization, called "Giving Them Hope", was started after the genocide to take in woman who had no family left and no where to go. They bring in counselors to help work through the different tragedies and teach them how to sew so they can make a living. While we were there we saw different groups of women making quilts. They also have a fitness room where they do yoga and other fitness activities. At the end of the tour was the shop where all their high quality products such as bags, pot holders, and purses were being sold. One of the bags they make folds into a butterfly shape, symbolizing that these woman can take their skills, and what they learn at the center, and go and "fly."

This same morning. Roger and Douglas went out to the fish farm. During the trip they passed the young children's house, and stopped for a visit. They were SO proud to show off their uniforms! 

L to R: Patrick, Kwizera, Davina, Tumukunde (on Roger), Rukanika, Hope, Emmanuel

- Kelly and Tara!