We had a very emotional roller coaster of a day. We started it by being woken up by the rural sound of the Sisters' roosters. After breakfast, we toured this lovely secondary school for girls of which the Sisters are justifiably proud. There are over 400 boarders at this prestigious school who live in dorms divided by grade level from 8th to 12th. Because it is a Saturday, the Fatima girls were doing assigned chores of sweeping sidewalks and driveways, raking the grass of leaves, and their own personal laundry. At least they didn't have to wake up at the usual weekday time of 4:45 am!
Next, we set off to visit the nearby clinic the Sisters also run. We saw very clean, well-organized, cheery, and efficient medical and dental clinics and family counseling center. We saw tired joy on the face of a newborn baby's mother and felt the sadness of the Sister who showed us the wrapped body of a recently deceased AIDS victim. The girls also learned how to tie a chitenge (baby shawl/carrier) around themselves to carry the babies we would be visiting in the afternoon at one of the five orphanages the Sisters provide.
After an authentic African lunch of nshima (cornmeal paste), ifishimu (caterpillars!) and more, we set off for Ndola Town and St. Anthony Orphanage to delight in the smiles of the orphaned babies, toddlers, and children under age six. While Dr. Grutzner and Dr. Sicoli screened the 100+ children's teeth and bodies, the Vis girls and remaining chaperones entertained the adoring orphans who never tired of being held, swung, rocked, or played with. What we had been warned of but hadn't fully acknowledged was how hard it would be to put a clinging child down. They cried almost as hard as some of us did. But the good news was that after we went to the cerebral palsy unit and adjoining elder care area and chapel, we got to reunite with the children as the exams wrapped up.Well, it is a Saturday night, and several of the Vis girls offered to add to the blog tonight, but they got the night off as the Fatima girls were staging a once-a-term only fashion show and dance-off. Naturally, some of our girls made an appearance onstage to the roaring approval of the assembled throng.
Perhaps now you can see what why this day was both intensive and fulfilling.
I hope you and the girls remember how to tie a chitenge so you can teach me in time for our new arrival! Sounds like you're having a great time.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Arnstein