Hello! So on Wednesday we arrived at Hope Worldwide and split into teams to complete our first project. I am currently working with the OVC (orphans and vulnerable children) group. We went out to a local creche (preschool) to look at the site in preparation for painting. The building was tiny. Only about 15 by 25 ft and it had a sand floor covered in carpet with wooden walls and a tin roof held on by rocks. For all intensive purposes, it was a shack capable of being destroyed by the big bad wolf. However, we were determined to paint it and the lady told us exactly what colors she wanted. All the children looked at us with big smiles and large brown eyes. We couldn't understand much of what they said, but they certainly were adorable. After we purchased the supplies from the local hardware store, we returned and spent the day painting. The lady who runs the school had all the children moved out and all the furniture moved as well. We painted the preschool side creme on the top half of the walls and orange on the bottom with rolling hills in the middle that had houses and trees scattered throughout. The infant side was painted powder blue with large shapes as a border and on the half wall separating the rooms, we painted the words "our hands can change the future" and then had the children come in one by one to put their hand prints on the wall. It was so much fun and so rewarding to see the difference by the time we finished at the end of the day. Today we worked on planning for a cement basement to be put down in a building for another local creche. Its amazing how resourceful these people are and how happy they seem even with how little they have. I hope soon that we will have more time to interact with them and talk to them about their lives. Everyone that we have met so far is very friendly and happy to talk.
All us students have a paper due tomorrow, so I have to write that tonight before I go to bed. It seems like we are asleep by 10:30 every night and yet by 3pm the next day we are exhausted again! Still, it is such a wonderful experience and I am loving every minute of it! I hope you all are doing well. LOVE YOU ALL!!
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Hi Laurel,
It’s terrific to hear of your efforts and adventures while you are away. Aren’t computers and the internet amazing!? Thanks for taking the time to share the details of your trip with us here at home. I can just imagine all those little children watching as you all work to improve their school – the days are full of memories for them as well.
Our world must seem very far away for you right now. The Celtics beat the Lakers in the NBA Championships this week, but that seems pretty inconsequential, doesn’t it?
This week Kyle is taking some placement tests and doing some St. Olaf paperwork, and Kaden is keeping up with his tennis practice. We are all helping out with a charity golf tournament on Saturday.
I’ll look forward to reading more from you as you post new entries.
Take care of yourself – you’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Kathy
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