Second Day at The Orphanage

Today we visited the second orphanage the Pebble Project helps.  Dr. Marion and Ety do so much good for these children!  And because they are Congolese they understand every aspect and seem to be trusted by the orphanage staff.

After another dust filled journey we arrived in the early afternoon.  As we entered the side street leading to the orphanage people had to move the items they are selling so we could drive through.  We arrived at the big blue metal doors.  As we entered, the bright blue walls shone and the smell was overwhelming.  Some of the children were away attending a school.  The children who remained were eating their lunch which consisted of mashed up rice mixed with water.  They all had their cup, eating quietly.

This little one is loving to play with her food!

I saw a girl who was there from our last trip in 2013, I learned her name, Omba Jeanne.  She is the girl in the pink shirt on the right (below).

2015

 

July 2013

The little girl in the front (below), Marie, has special needs.  She was so happy and smiled so much.

 Mama Nelly is one of the main caretakers.  She has a log of every one of the 89 children, their name, age and when they entered the orphanage.  She is very organized, hands on and is willing to work with the GOF staff.  When I asked them about Della they remembered her. 

Mama Nelly (right)

While Becky and I were with the children we saw so many with great needs.   How do I put into words what I felt.......

These kids just want what every kid wants: love, someone to hold there hand, give them high-five, show them how to zip and unzip a zipper, count to 10.  They want to feel they are special, that someone cares for them.

I know the GOF's Pebble Project is a start to fulfilling those needs through so many like Dr. Marion and Ety and all the others.  But there's so much more that is not being met.

Through it all what surprises me the most is the children are smiling and playing........they somehow find the joy in the midst of their life. 

Leaving the orphanage.  The blue and yellow bus in the public transportation, also called "Spirit of Death".

 

We ate a traditional Congolese meal of chicken, french fries, rice, fufu, fried plantains, mayo, ketchup, hot sauce and vegetables.