Mbiiko Village

Syd and her girls brought over 300 pounds of donated supplies for the schools and orphanages. We spent most of the evening yesterday unpacking the stuffed green duffel bags loaded with crayons, shoes, t-shirts, story books, flashlights, baby formula and blankets, etc. This morning we joined Betty and went with her to Nbiiko where she teaches every day. She started this school for primary age children (3-6 yrs) almost a year ago and currently has 12 students in the heart of one of the poorest area’s in the village.
The morning started with us having to rearrange the supplies we were bringing because we realized that we had to ride boda bodas in skirts with a huge awkward duffel bag! That was not going to work well, especially since it was the first time for us to sit side saddle style on a moving bike. That was a challenge in itself! We arrived at the taxi station without any mishaps, then we crowded into the taxi. It was overly full but didn’t have any chickens or goats accompanying us - which can be a usual occurrence.
We arrived at our destination and walked a short distance into the middle of the village. We were greeted getting off the bus by a mob of older looking children who were hams for the camera. (Most people here love having their pictures taken. The children become alive when the camera comes out.) We walked past cow pastures and goats eating the yard. Muddy puddles of water blocked our path and we had to make a few slight detours. Walking up a small hill, we came upon a cinderblock building that already had 5 children waiting there for us. It was amazing to see the looks on their faces as they gazed up at these four new Muzungo (white) girls. I can only imagine what they must have been thinking - it is certainly not every day that a white person comes to their town.
Syd immediately sat on the floor and started playing blocks with them. After just a few minutes they warmed up to us and we had a great time interacting with them for the next 3 hours. Their eyes lit up when we pulled out play dough and showed them how to mold it into shapes (after explaining that no, you can’t eat it!). They giggled in delight as the miniature flashlights were handed out. The suckers brought out wide eyes of wonder, followed by stained red, blue, and green tongues tasting something they had never imagined. And to wrap it up, we passed out toothbrushes and paste and showed them how to brush their teeth.
When the school children were released to go home, we took a load of baby blankets and walked around the village to pass out blankets to mothers. As we walked up and down the dirt pathways connecting the huts made out of clay and sticks, the extreme poverty of this area hit me. There had been a child during class earlier in the day that had shoes that didn't fit and it broke our hearts. His little feet were crammed into a shoe not nearly large enough. Also, two of the children came without a lunch because their parents didn't have enough food to send even a piece of bread. However, these children were so full of life and joy. The simplest things made them happy.
There were many kids in the village that couldn't afford to come to school. They followed along and and posed like professional models against dark red clay huts and rusted barbed wire, their dark intense eyes poring a hole right through your veneer. Their curiosity often got the better of them and they would run up and take our hand. Tears came to my eyes - not because of the poverty and lack, but because of the value and beauty of these people, and to have the opporunity to engage them in real life and not just from the comfort of my living room, reading "National Geographic". There is no way that I will ever be the same.

Well, I had several pictures to post tonight but the connection is too slow. I will get them on later :-)