orphanage Christmas

Thanks to your generous donations, the children at the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) orphange received sacks of essential foods and had a fine Christmas party on December 27th. Here is a short photo essay of that happy afternoon.

There were over fifty children. Most live in the orphanage, but those HIV positive live with families who can provide the more specific attention they need. The HIV children are part of the family, and many are in this group photograph.

There was great entertainment. These photos are of a group of young ‘graduates’ of the orphanage who have taught them selves traditional Rwandan Intore dancing. Performing at events and weddings helps them support themselves and they are excellent role-models for the orphans. Good dancers, too.

There was food in unusually generous quantities and meat, which is expensive and not part of their daily diet.

 Some of the older children spoke about their needs and hopes - for school fees, secondary education, 'the special things girls need,' technical training, university. They spoke of the need for electricity in the orphanage (about $600) so that they could study in the evenings.

After much discussion, there had been a decision to make it a ‘two-soda’ day. Soda is a treat, and when we gave the children the camera, that is what they choose to document.

Big and small, they enjoyed themselves.