Part 10: We woke to the now familiar sounds of roosters, but this time mixed with children's voices and scuffling feet as they prepared to leave for school. Later we learned that all the children walked to school, and many walked one hour each way. When things got quiet, we ventured out. Last night we were dismayed to find that the shower stream in the "visitors bathroom" was only a drip. In the morning light and after a surprisingly restful sleep, we found the slowly dripping shower to be a delight. What seemed alien to us last night was increasingly welcome and familiar. After washing and dressing, we went to the kitchen to find a huge plate of hot sausages and toast waiting for us. The women told us that Amos and another trustee, Moses, would be taking us on a tour of the children's schools today. When they arrived, it was time for more tea, photos and speeches, as we presented the rest of the sound equipment we'd brought for the children's home. Walking around the compound, we were so amazed at what had been accomplished in a very short time. In less than three years, the ground had been cleared and several buildings constructed, including a large kitchen and hall where the children ate and did their homework, an administrative building, the first of two dormitories, a water tower, a clinic for both the children and the community, and a technical school. The second dormitory and technical school were still under construction but have recently been open. There were fields full of lush vegetables, and the largest cabbages we've ever seen. Healthy looking cows and pigs were in stalls, and hundreds of baby chicks were in an upstairs loft. The goal is to be self-sufficient-- with not only enough milk, eggs, meat and vegetables to feed the children but also to sell. We've learned that a fish pond has also been recently installed. Perhaps the most amazing thing to us was the means to turn the animal waste into methane gas which was directly piped into the kitchen to cook the food. We were so impressed with their vision, resourcefulness and hard work. Already, we had seen so much-- and yet, our day was just beginning. Next Post
