After 2 days spent visiting the sick, praying over them and joining their support groups, we again broke into groups. I took a small group to visit a new project called Alara. It is in the home village of Jared the director of the school. It was a drive of about 40 minutes over bumpy, pot-hole filled roads. But the Alara region is beautiful. Lots of rice paddies near the river, tall trees, and very green. The school is pre-k and 1st and 2nd graders, about 101 kids in all. They spend the day at school and then go home to foster families. Most are not sponsored in any way due to the downturn in the US economy. CRF has lost many sponsorships because people feel they cannot afford to continue helping until things get better. Our African friends are praying for us. They think the economy is so bad that they are praying for us.
Out of the 101 children, 16 are sponsored. He believes it would take $1500 per month to feed, clothe and pay school fees for all 101. He is covering everything but the food for 101 kids on what he gets per month for the 16 sponsored ones, plus whatever extra he can find from other donors. He says he found $200 a month from Amarillo Central Church, who also helped dig a well and buy some property nearby, another $100 comes from his own pocket, and the local foster families know they have to help as much as they can come up with another $100. Add that to the $327 from CRF for the 16 sponsored kids, and Jared has enough to feed all the children breakfast every day, and supper on Fridays. That is it. On our way to Alara, Jared asked if we could stop at the local superstore to buy some sweets as treats for the children. Of course we can. Candy turned into cookies and juice as well for all the kids, the teachers and anyone else who happened to be nearby. The candy and juice are huge treats for the kids as they rarely get them.
Alara has the potential to be an important project. The opportunities for business ventures is high, and the ability to take microfinance loans for planting crops is a no-brainer. They have the start of a large fish pond that could provide much needed protein and income...all it needs is a sponsor who can help raise the $2000 or so to get it completed and full of Tilapia.
While Keven, Alicia and I were at Alara, the rest of the team got to souvenir shop at the local tourist market. I hardly recognized our group in their new African skirts, wraps and headdress! They were going native and loving it! Seems every group I travel with to Africa learn the importance of haggling. Before arriving in Africa, they tell me that they have no ability to haggle, and that they just want to pay retail. There is a fear that we will insult them. I tell them that haggling is part of the process, and not to haggle leads to the vendor not respecting your intelligence or theirs. One team member has become a monster at deal-making. Chante has taken it to the highest level. The person who told me she would just pay full price is getting deals that locals can't even get! In fact, her deals are so good that the vendor won't admit he sold her something when I went to get one for myself.
Dinner was a special treat at the home of the local missionaries, John and Connie O'Kill. Cheeseburgers, fries and ice cream for dessert!! We had a great evening of prayer, sharing, and bonding as a group.
The next day we headed to the Lakeside Children's Retreat and Orphanage. This is truly an orphan's home. It houses about 60 boys and girls in dormitory styled rooms. There is also a nursery school, kindergarten, and sewing business on site for fundraising. The Lakeside children also raise chickens for income as well. The kids at my home church, NW Church in Seattle raised the initial funds for the chicken business, and it has thrived over the past 4 years. Profits from this venture help pay for repairs needed on the property. Lakeside is my favorite project. I don't know why, but I love it more than all the others. Maybe it is because of the idyllic setting amongst the trees, or the smart children with creative talent, or maybe because they don't get the attention that Ringroad gets. This is the project I wanted my friends from Renovo to consider helping. It is small enough that they could make a major impact on improving children's lives.
Okay, this is where the illnesses start...during the middle of our meeting the children. They sang to us, performed dramatic poetry (their own), and spouted off memory verses for us. We decided to sing for them. Soon after, it was like a switch had been turned on. At first Melanie grew ill and had to vomit, then Ericka, who had just lead our singing, and then Alicia. They tried to keep a strong face, but you could see it. One of the most touching moments of our trip so far was how the older teen girls wanted to help Melanie and Ericka in their sickest moments. They hovered around them like bees with cold compresses, dirt to cover the vomit, and tender touches to comfort. We sent them home in a vehicle so they could start their recovery.
The rest of us finished handing out the goodies we had brought them: Old Navy flip flops, a book bag, pencils, toothbrushes, candy, crazy straw, a bandana, and some other small things. They are so appreciative of small gifts. After we said our goodbyes, we took a short detour to the Equator, snapped a few photos and headed back to the hotel to care for the sick. We have a big safari planned for the next day, and we wanted them well.
Wow, the next morning most of us were up at 5 am to prepare to leave by 6. The sick doubled in number to 6 total. Some getting sick between 5-6! We were going to host the missionary couple and the 3 directors on the safari and they arrived on time. I discussed the situation with everyone and decided to cancel our trip. I didn't want those that couldn't go to miss out, and I didn't want those going to feel guilty and worry about those that couldn't make it. It was a losing proposition no matter the decision. But Jared made it work out all right. He suggested that since the Matatus were already paid for, why not let him take the staff of Ringroad on safari? I loved that suggestion and off they went in the matatus to collect the teachers. It is amazing that locals cannot afford to see the beauty of their own country. I am glad I made that decision because soon 2 more of us were sick...9 total out of 10! I spent the last 24 hours fitfully sleeping alternating between the sweats and shivering. I am hoping the cipro works wonders like last year. I woke up about 2 hours ago and decided to finish the blog. Every joint aches, I have a headache, and cramps in my midsection. But I am also feeling peckish and the thought of food isn't causing me to heave. Melanie is back to her regular self, and I am hoping it is a 24 hour bug.
Today is our field trip with the Lakeside Kids and I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Chow!
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