June 6-7

June 6, 2012

I am feeling a lot better. I am trying to remain calm and relaxed. The pharmacy here has an injectable medication I could take for asthma but I’m not conformable with the idea of using a needle provided by them, also I don’t know if they regulate their medication, storage, expiration, or if it’s even the medication labeled. I guess I have different expectations coming from the U.S.  Because I didn’t want to stay home alone, and to avoid being around the dust I have decided to go to the orphanage for a couple days. The orphanage is near the hospital in Gisyni and if off of a paved road. It was defiantly an eye opening experience. The conditions in which these children live in is nothing anyone should ever have to experience. I know the orphanage is trying their best, and yes the children do have a place to sleep and some food to eat, but their standard of living is so sad. Is very common to see three or four babies sharing a small crib. Too poor to afford diapers, children are more so than not laying in each other’s urine. The baby room’s reek with stench, and 20 kids often fight over one ratty torn apart baby doll. If a child is lucky enough to have a “diaper” it’s often made of recycled cloth or curtains. There are not even enough bottles for the babies, so some are expected to drink from cups. There is no structure or organized play for the older children. They fight and hit each other for just a chance to play with you. They wear torn up ratty clothing that back in the U.S. would be considered unacceptable to even donate. Toys are non-existent, and for entertainment kids make toys out of trash. Yesterday a child came up to me and asked me if I had a mom. I said my mom had died but I have another mom. They then asked if I had a dad, I told them yes I had a dad. The child responded that I was so lucky to have a mom and a dad, and she wishes she could be me. I wish I could give these children everything, all the love and attention they deserve. I know the time that I spend with them defiantly makes a difference in their life, but what can I do to make more of a lasting impression. What can I do to make a difference? No child should go without diapers, bottle, clothes or toys. The idea of starting some type of fund or collection had crossed my mind several times. It hurts me to think about how much we waste at home. How much clothes or toys we have thrown out just because we consider it old. These kids would cherish something’s we call junk.

June 7^th

I’m feeling better every day. Still the dust and pollution are bothering me but my breathing is improving. Like I said before the idea of starting some type of donation fund has been in the back of my mind. But how can I guarantee that what people donate would be really spent of these children? Since a bank or an ATM is VERY hard to find I don’t think asking for cash is the best way to make a difference now. Long term maybe, but I’m only here till the end of July and I couldn’t guarantee it would get to who it was intended for 100%. The only other option is asking for items that could be sent to Rwanda while I am here, this way I can guarantee that 100% of what people send would go directly toward these orphans. People know that poverty and homelessness exists but sometimes we don’t feel as if we are in a position to actually make a change. It’s easy to see bad things happen on the news but because we are so far away from it we are almost removed, I guess out of sight out of mind. Other times we are hesitant to donate to organizations because we don’t know where our money/item is really going. I have decided now can be your chance to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s by donating just a small toy or a bottle. I’m not asking for much but if you could see these kids everyday like I do you would want to do something about it too. So within the next day or so I am going to compile a list of small items that can be donated. It breaks my heart that these children don’t have families but at minimum they deserve to have a toy to play with or a bottle to drink from.

Alright so this is what I have decided. My parents are more than willing to send anything anyone would want to donate to Rwanda.   Based off of what I have seen these items are greatly needed.

Latex gloves

Medical masks

Hand Sanitizer

Plastic bottles

Toys (used or new)

Dolls (used or new)

Marbles

Books (Basic English)

Reusable diapers

Sport balls (basketball, soccer ball)

Clothes (new born to adult, used or new)

Shoes (flip flops, all ages)

Strollers

Sheets

Any education items (flash card, numbers, and alphabet)

Keep in mind no one had to do this, but I am hoping after seeing some of these pictures and reading my blog you will feel more that willing. I am not asking you to go out and buy new things. If you have anything around your house that you are not using please send them to my parents’ house as soon as you can because it will take a couple weeks to get to me. My parents address is McKinnon 11155 Pond Fountain Ct New Market MD 21774. If you live nearby you can drop it off at any time as well. Keep in mind it’s also really expensive to send stuff here so if you would like to donate a couple bucks maybe we can get it here faster. I will take pictures of the kids with your donated items. Also if you would like to call them my house number is 301-882-7195.