KAOMA ORPHANAGE

This morning I walked to the orphanage that is run by Sr. Vianney and Rita (a local woman). When I arrived--the youngest children were all being bathed outside in the yard by their caregivers. The children sat on plastic bags while they were washed down with soapy water from big plastic containers. A number of children attached themselves to me immediately and several wanted to be held--all at the same time!

While a few of the little ones were playing on the swings a strange man walked through the property and tried to shake their hands. The children all started to cry--climbed off the swings and clung to me. I had to tell the man he needed to leave because he was scaring the children. Luckily, he did!

I also spent time holding and feeding some of the babies. There were about 15 infants in cribs (one a set of twins) and quite a few others that were just old enough to be running around. Some of the infants were obviously ill (probably HIV pos.) and may not survive.

All of the children at the orphanage have lost their mothers (usually to aids). If there is some extended family the children make home visits and when the children get older some go to live with that extended family. The home observes and makes sure the family is able to care for children that are returned to the village.

The children are raised similarly to life in the villages. The older girls go to school, help cook meals outside over charcoal, they do laundry, clean, and help with the babies. The older boys, who are boarded at another location, go to school and work on the farm that helps to sustain the orphanage. They learn how to care for animals, how to plant, etc.