Right now I am waiting at the Ministry of Women's Affairs office hoping to meet with the woman who can provide me with the documents needed to complete my report. This is the most important office in regards to orphan welfare and so far the employees have been welcoming.
I taking advantage of this downtime to write an entry has I have finished reading all the documents I had brought with me to keep me 'busy.'
This entry is about my visits to two state-run orphanages yesterday. My first visit was to Kechene Children's Home, an orphanage that houses infants and toddlers of both sexes and also girl youth. I had visited the facility before, my intent with this visit was to inform the Director that we will be delivering 50 computers by the end of April. To say the least, the Director was shocked and thanks me profusely for the offer because as a government run facility, they were not often presented with offers of donations as man of the private orphanages are. Until two years ago, they didn't even have a single computer. Until now, they have had to function with a single computer in which the children do not have access to as it is for administrative purposes.
Lukas knew how excited the girls would be to hear the news and so he told me that I had to inform them myself of the donation. As you may be able to imagine, the same room filled with more than 50 girls went into an uproar when Lukas' translation was completed. Clapping and giggling and chatter filled the small living room.
The impact these computers will have on these children is immense. Almost all of the youth study computer science, from a textbook, many never actually having had access to an actual computer to apply their training. Additionally, the younger children will have access to developmentally appropriate games which is especially important for institutionalized children. (So if anyone has children's games they would like to donate, please just email me and we can make an arrangement for them to get installed on their computers!!!! Please!!)
Well, that was the uplifting part of the entry, the second part of the entry is not so upbeat. Just a warning.
As I was concluding my visit with the Director, I asked if I could visit the infant ward of the facility and he was more than happy to oblige. The ward had moved into a newer building on the compound, one that was brightly painted and had larger windows allowing the children access to the Ethiopian sunshine. However, what was evident almost immediately was the silence in the room. A room filled with 20 or some children under the age of 2 years. A few were sleeping, but most simply laid on their backs looking at the ceiling. For the 20 children there was only one caretaker. The babies were wet from head to toe and wrapped in warm clothes, clearly cared for, as the staff was extremely kind to them and interacted with them when possible, but limited in their capacity to staff the ward properly.
The children were beautiful and a few destined to Gabon, the US, and Finland, the rest were awaiting their forever families. When I spoke to them they beamed with smiles. When I offered them my finger to hold they grabbed tightly, refusing to let go. One girl was strong enough to stand and she wanted me to bring her out of her crib. But of course I couldn't at the time. I wanted to bring all the children outside into the beautiful summer day and prop them in the sunshine with a bundle of toys to play with. But none of the children were offered that opportunity, they couldn't go outside, there was no staff to watch them. They couldn't play outside because there was no children's area. They couldn't be surrounded by toys because there were none.
However, there is hope. I will be volunteering in the infant ward every Saturday for the entire day. Playing with them and making sure they are allowed to play outside. And with donations of money I received before my departure, I will purchase some much needed toys and reuseable diapers. And thanks to the support from home, I'm going to be able to make the facilility a bit more child-friendly including giving the children art supplies so they can decorate the walls with bright colors and make their home their own, as many of the children older than 2 will never be adopted, as they are not of an 'adoptable age.' Most foreigners want infants and the rest will call the orphanage home until they are pushed to the streets when they reach 18.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Let's just say that you're walking the streets of downtown Duluth at 10:30 on a Thursday evening. You just left Old Chicago and are going to take a stroll on the boardwalk before returning home for the night. There's nothing unusual about your walk until you spot a small child, about 10 years old walking on the boardwalk, alone. Immediately you search for parents but there are none in site. Your heart leads you to child because you feel he is in distress, you must try to find his parents. So you begin a conversation with him-What are you doing on the street? Where is your family? and the routine stops there. The answer to your last question is that, 'They're dead.' If you have any sort of heart, it is now lying on the ground and is being crushed by a 10 ton truck. You've completely lost your bearings. What are you going to do now? 'What do you mean you have no family,' you ask. Do you have brothers or sisters, an aunt or uncle?' 'No,' he simply replies. 'No, me.' (Just me) In Duluth you wouldn't hesitate to take the boy home, confident you would find a solution to his lack of family, because there is no way that such a young child would have no family in the world that he can call his own.
In Addis Ababa, it is the norm for all children walking the streets alone barefoot with ragged clothes to be parentless. Imagine just for a moment that you are living in a place where you can walk the streets for 10 minutes and within that time have a trail of followers 10 or maybe 15 deep of orphaned children following you. It happens to me all the time. The question is, do you accept it as a norm? Or do you allow yourself to love and help as many as you can? Sadly, most people do the former, but tonight, I couldn't.
Around 10:30 PM I was walking to the office after a fabulous traditional meal. I needed to pick up a few items I have bought earlier in the day for my new house. As I reached within a few blocks of the building I spotted a small boy in ragged, dirty, cut-off green sweatpants, a torn shirt and sandals. As with the scenerio describe above he was alone. And his eyes told of his story. Though I have grown accustomed to hearing children of the street tell me they have no family. It never becomes any less shocking and heartbreaking when it comes from their tiny mouths. All of the pain hidden in their words when they say they have no one. No one to love them, to hold their hand, to caress their heads and kiss them goodnight. No one.
After speaking with Kalifa for a few minutes we had arrived at my office though I couldn't do much I knew that I could something. Wait here, ishi (okay?) Ishi. Wait here, I'll be back. Ishi. I made my way to the office and picked up the items I had bought earlier, including a limited amount of food. As I made my way back to where Kalifa was waiting for me I knew that I had to do more than simply provide him food. I couldn't be one of those people who could return home that same evening and enjoy a night of calm and warmth in my bed after deserting such a child.
After I knelt down and gave him the bread and kiwi I had stashed in my bag I tried to convey to him what I wanted to do to help him, if he was willing. We the help of a translator that happened to arrive at just the right moment, I conveyed to Kalifa that I would like to help him find a home. That it is a long process, but I may be able to assist him with the legal process and then afterward, find a placement.
He agreed with a smile on his face and hands full of food. We agreed to meet tomorrow morning at the same place, so I could provide him with his meal for the day and that we would meet everyday until I found him a home.
Perhaps you are wondering why I didn't take him home with me? Believe me I wish I could and for some people it is difficult to understand. However, if I were to take Kalifa home with me, it would be temporary. Though I know that it would be such, he may not understand that he would have to leave at some point to another home or, if I fail, back to the streets. For a young child who has lost everything he ever loved, and more specifically the figures who provided him with love, it would be devastating for him to lose another caregiver. I am aware of my limitations as a young adult and a person just starting out in a new country. For me to believe that I could support him in the way he needs to be supported would be delusional. But I am doing what I can. And I will continue to not normalize such experiences and aid these children in any way possible.
In Addis Ababa, it is the norm for all children walking the streets alone barefoot with ragged clothes to be parentless. Imagine just for a moment that you are living in a place where you can walk the streets for 10 minutes and within that time have a trail of followers 10 or maybe 15 deep of orphaned children following you. It happens to me all the time. The question is, do you accept it as a norm? Or do you allow yourself to love and help as many as you can? Sadly, most people do the former, but tonight, I couldn't.
Around 10:30 PM I was walking to the office after a fabulous traditional meal. I needed to pick up a few items I have bought earlier in the day for my new house. As I reached within a few blocks of the building I spotted a small boy in ragged, dirty, cut-off green sweatpants, a torn shirt and sandals. As with the scenerio describe above he was alone. And his eyes told of his story. Though I have grown accustomed to hearing children of the street tell me they have no family. It never becomes any less shocking and heartbreaking when it comes from their tiny mouths. All of the pain hidden in their words when they say they have no one. No one to love them, to hold their hand, to caress their heads and kiss them goodnight. No one.
After speaking with Kalifa for a few minutes we had arrived at my office though I couldn't do much I knew that I could something. Wait here, ishi (okay?) Ishi. Wait here, I'll be back. Ishi. I made my way to the office and picked up the items I had bought earlier, including a limited amount of food. As I made my way back to where Kalifa was waiting for me I knew that I had to do more than simply provide him food. I couldn't be one of those people who could return home that same evening and enjoy a night of calm and warmth in my bed after deserting such a child.
After I knelt down and gave him the bread and kiwi I had stashed in my bag I tried to convey to him what I wanted to do to help him, if he was willing. We the help of a translator that happened to arrive at just the right moment, I conveyed to Kalifa that I would like to help him find a home. That it is a long process, but I may be able to assist him with the legal process and then afterward, find a placement.
He agreed with a smile on his face and hands full of food. We agreed to meet tomorrow morning at the same place, so I could provide him with his meal for the day and that we would meet everyday until I found him a home.
Perhaps you are wondering why I didn't take him home with me? Believe me I wish I could and for some people it is difficult to understand. However, if I were to take Kalifa home with me, it would be temporary. Though I know that it would be such, he may not understand that he would have to leave at some point to another home or, if I fail, back to the streets. For a young child who has lost everything he ever loved, and more specifically the figures who provided him with love, it would be devastating for him to lose another caregiver. I am aware of my limitations as a young adult and a person just starting out in a new country. For me to believe that I could support him in the way he needs to be supported would be delusional. But I am doing what I can. And I will continue to not normalize such experiences and aid these children in any way possible.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Today was a day of joy filled with the hearts of children and families we met at the Hope Enterprises feeding shelter. Hope Enterprises feeds more than 600 orphaned and destitute children and adults everyday (except Sunday). You may recall from an earlier journal entry that we have visited this organization before.
The first time we visited we met many orphaned children, including a child-heading household and it was a very moving experience for me. There was one child in particular who caught my eye and my heart, her name is Eyores. If you turn to the pictures page her picture is still on there from August, because I cannot bring myself to take it off. She was the child out of the more than 200 children in the room that I bonded with. The first Ethiopian child I ever bonded with and therefore she hold a special place in my heart.
Today, as I mentioned, we visited Hope again, however, this time it was for the lunch feeding, meaning that both adults and children were able to receive a free lunch (breakfast is just for the children). I did not know what to except, but to my surprise there were a lot of children there and immediately I began searching for Eyores. Most of the children were unaccompanied and were there alone or with their siblings as many just dropped in to pick up enough food for their family and then haul the heavy load home. I was disappointed that I couldn't find Eyores soon after my arrival and my heart sank and my mind began to wander, where is she? Is she okay? Is she alive? The chances of her dying are quite high, is there a way that I could find out from someone if she was alive?
As my mind continued to question her well-being, I, almost instinctively turned to the entrance, and there she was. She was walking in, the precious 4 year old girl that I had met just months earlier. However, she wasn't alone. She walked in holding the hand of her grandpa (I can only assume) and I was completely mesmorized by her and the fact that she had someone to take care of her. The sight was the most enduring site I have ever seen and tears began to form. A little girl, still with snot running down her beautiful face, wearing the same blue sweater she was wearing in August, holding the hand of her ever-so-proud grandpa. It was the most beautiful site and relief took over me- she had someone who loves her and takes care of her.
I must have been staring at Eyores because her grandpa sent me a friendly wave and continued on his wave to receive their lunch. Soon, they were seated, but I had lost track of where they ended up because there were children vying for my attention. However, when given the opportunity, I started to search for them. I was in complete wonderment, as the sight of any male figure taking care of children in Ethiopia is endearing because so many lack the love of their fathers due to the high mortality rate. Within a minute or so, I found them. And Eyores looked at me and she didn't let her gaze wander. However, she was completely content sitting on her grandpa's lap eating her injera and wat. As I continued to stare at the couple her grandpa soon waved me over to talk with them, but I felt out of place and was still in shock that she had someone who so deeply cared for her well-being and I declined the invitiation both times.
As soon as I had the clarity to think clearly, I realized that through her grandpa I could help Eyores and her family have a better life and this is the first assignment I have given myself-to make sure that she is able to attend school, receive medical care, have food on the table, and that her grandpa remains healthy for as long as possible so she doesn't become one of the 200,000 on the streets of Addis Ababa with no one to turn to but themselves.
The first time we visited we met many orphaned children, including a child-heading household and it was a very moving experience for me. There was one child in particular who caught my eye and my heart, her name is Eyores. If you turn to the pictures page her picture is still on there from August, because I cannot bring myself to take it off. She was the child out of the more than 200 children in the room that I bonded with. The first Ethiopian child I ever bonded with and therefore she hold a special place in my heart.
Today, as I mentioned, we visited Hope again, however, this time it was for the lunch feeding, meaning that both adults and children were able to receive a free lunch (breakfast is just for the children). I did not know what to except, but to my surprise there were a lot of children there and immediately I began searching for Eyores. Most of the children were unaccompanied and were there alone or with their siblings as many just dropped in to pick up enough food for their family and then haul the heavy load home. I was disappointed that I couldn't find Eyores soon after my arrival and my heart sank and my mind began to wander, where is she? Is she okay? Is she alive? The chances of her dying are quite high, is there a way that I could find out from someone if she was alive?
As my mind continued to question her well-being, I, almost instinctively turned to the entrance, and there she was. She was walking in, the precious 4 year old girl that I had met just months earlier. However, she wasn't alone. She walked in holding the hand of her grandpa (I can only assume) and I was completely mesmorized by her and the fact that she had someone to take care of her. The sight was the most enduring site I have ever seen and tears began to form. A little girl, still with snot running down her beautiful face, wearing the same blue sweater she was wearing in August, holding the hand of her ever-so-proud grandpa. It was the most beautiful site and relief took over me- she had someone who loves her and takes care of her.
I must have been staring at Eyores because her grandpa sent me a friendly wave and continued on his wave to receive their lunch. Soon, they were seated, but I had lost track of where they ended up because there were children vying for my attention. However, when given the opportunity, I started to search for them. I was in complete wonderment, as the sight of any male figure taking care of children in Ethiopia is endearing because so many lack the love of their fathers due to the high mortality rate. Within a minute or so, I found them. And Eyores looked at me and she didn't let her gaze wander. However, she was completely content sitting on her grandpa's lap eating her injera and wat. As I continued to stare at the couple her grandpa soon waved me over to talk with them, but I felt out of place and was still in shock that she had someone who so deeply cared for her well-being and I declined the invitiation both times.
As soon as I had the clarity to think clearly, I realized that through her grandpa I could help Eyores and her family have a better life and this is the first assignment I have given myself-to make sure that she is able to attend school, receive medical care, have food on the table, and that her grandpa remains healthy for as long as possible so she doesn't become one of the 200,000 on the streets of Addis Ababa with no one to turn to but themselves.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Okay, so I'm leaving in a half hour for the Amsterdam airport to take-off to Addis Ababa. I arrive at 7:35 am tomorrow morning and it still is not registering that I am leaving yet. Especially that I will be living in Ethiopia, AFRICA!!! My mood is certainly less solemn than before as I have too much on my mind to think of my emotions and everything that is at home, though it is still difficult of course.
The most sleep I have been able to get a night so far is about 4 hours, usually from about 10/11-2/3 and then I wake up and before I know it my mind is racing in a million directions. I never can actually slow my mind down long enough to think of any sort of coherent thoughts, so nothing is accomplished, no matter how hard I try. Maybe I'll sleep on the plane tonight? Just maybe?
Well, I thought I would include a little about the week ahead as I may not be able to post regularly until after my collegues have left the country to return to the Netherlands (10 days). Tomorrow we will be returning to the orphanages and shelters we visited before. Allowing me to bond with children and also for my two collegues to experience an Ethiopian orphanage for the first time. We will probably visit 4 different homes, also stopping by to inform them of the supplies we will be offering them in the future months: 200 beds, 50 computers, pavement for the walkway at the handicap facility, etc. Additionally, we have a meeting with a youth forum to inform us of how best to reach a refugee camp which we will visit on Wednesday-Thursday.
On Sunday the team will be spending Ethiopian Christmas at a local orphanage where will donate toys for the children's Christmas celebration. I am really looking forward to seeing them all dressed in their ceremonial white outfits.
Well, I don't want to bore, but above are some of the items on the schedule.
If you ever want to contact me to talk about Ethiopia or just to say hello, please email me at: b.keppers@wiorphans.org
And I'm off!!!!!
The most sleep I have been able to get a night so far is about 4 hours, usually from about 10/11-2/3 and then I wake up and before I know it my mind is racing in a million directions. I never can actually slow my mind down long enough to think of any sort of coherent thoughts, so nothing is accomplished, no matter how hard I try. Maybe I'll sleep on the plane tonight? Just maybe?
Well, I thought I would include a little about the week ahead as I may not be able to post regularly until after my collegues have left the country to return to the Netherlands (10 days). Tomorrow we will be returning to the orphanages and shelters we visited before. Allowing me to bond with children and also for my two collegues to experience an Ethiopian orphanage for the first time. We will probably visit 4 different homes, also stopping by to inform them of the supplies we will be offering them in the future months: 200 beds, 50 computers, pavement for the walkway at the handicap facility, etc. Additionally, we have a meeting with a youth forum to inform us of how best to reach a refugee camp which we will visit on Wednesday-Thursday.
On Sunday the team will be spending Ethiopian Christmas at a local orphanage where will donate toys for the children's Christmas celebration. I am really looking forward to seeing them all dressed in their ceremonial white outfits.
Well, I don't want to bore, but above are some of the items on the schedule.
If you ever want to contact me to talk about Ethiopia or just to say hello, please email me at: b.keppers@wiorphans.org
And I'm off!!!!!
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
No idea
I have no idea who I am writing to right now. I have officically survived the worst day of my life to-date. This journal entry is not what I had anticipated it to be at all. I figured, in my ignorance, that it would be a wonderous day-my first day on the job and on the road to a blossoming career. However, today, I have had to leave the only man I have ever loved and pictured spending the rest of my life with. He has been shattered and though I know I am suffering, him having to return to our home alone, after being gutted of all my belongings is much worse than I can imagine.
From here, I do not know where I will go. What is keeping me 'moving forward' is knowing of the potential impact my work may have on the children in most need of my attention.
From here, I do not know where I will go. What is keeping me 'moving forward' is knowing of the potential impact my work may have on the children in most need of my attention.
Monday, November 6, 2006
Hello Everyone
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to send a little note, as my departure for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has become official. After I return to the States on Dec 8, I will have three weeks to spend the holidays with family and friends before my plane departs on January 1 for The Netherlands, where I will be for another three days for meetings before I take off to Addis Ababa. I will spend the next six months (minimum) living and working in Addis Ababa. During that time I may be visiting Kenya and other surrounding countries for meetings with NGO representatives and officials. I will also be returning to the Netherlands in March and May for meetings and the World Conference to be held in The Hague.
In June 2007 I will return to the States for my bestest friend's bachelorette party and wedding! And of course to see family and friends :)
P.S. I want to take this chance to thank everyone for their support throughout the last year as life has been a roller-coaster of emotions, waiting periods, and many, many volunteer hours.
I just wanted to send a little note, as my departure for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has become official. After I return to the States on Dec 8, I will have three weeks to spend the holidays with family and friends before my plane departs on January 1 for The Netherlands, where I will be for another three days for meetings before I take off to Addis Ababa. I will spend the next six months (minimum) living and working in Addis Ababa. During that time I may be visiting Kenya and other surrounding countries for meetings with NGO representatives and officials. I will also be returning to the Netherlands in March and May for meetings and the World Conference to be held in The Hague.
In June 2007 I will return to the States for my bestest friend's bachelorette party and wedding! And of course to see family and friends :)
P.S. I want to take this chance to thank everyone for their support throughout the last year as life has been a roller-coaster of emotions, waiting periods, and many, many volunteer hours.
There is no me without you
So how does it happen that - while most people instinctively try to save themselves and their families from a catastrophe - a few slow down, look back, and suddenly reach out to strangers? Instead of fleeing in the opposite direction, a few wade into the rising waters to try to yank the drowning onto higher land.
~Melissa Fay Greene, There is No Me Without You
~Melissa Fay Greene, There is No Me Without You
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