Do Good, Feel Good - 25/07

Today I wasn't feeling 100%. You'd think after last year's experience with germy volunteers I'd have learned my lesson and carried some cold medicine. Alas, I didn't.  So after spending the weekend in a safari truck with someone who covered their cough only 70% of the time, and 80% of THAT coverage was done with the inside of her hand, I was bound to be affected by the cold that is going around the group.  Gross. I've been taking cod liver oil capsules and airborne in attempts to prevent illness and I like to think they've been pretty effective.
Last night I had a slight headache and sore throat.  I took some Tylenol and a Strepsil before bed.  This morning I felt like my health was fading a bit but I knew if I could make it through the morning I could pick up medicine during our afternoon town trip.
Today was my first day with the 4 year olds.  Our morning started with assembly outside next to the play yard. The children were too cute singing the national anthem!  They practised 'attention' and 'at ease' and sang more songs. The teachers checked their uniforms and general cleanliness before dismissing them to class. 
Today the 4 year olds reviewed their numbers to 100, alphabet song, long O sound and basic addition facts.  Their snack break is a little later because of the staggered times as the dining room is shared. It works out that my tea time is closer to their snack time. With our tea today we had samosas and a deep fried hard boiled egg... I tried my best to eat it but I am no fan of boiled egg!  At least I tried.
The children copied down a few addition sums and some consonant-longO combinations in their copybooks. By the time they had all finished that it was almost their lunch time and time for me to head back to Home Base. 
After lunch I took a quick nap during siesta time.  I still wasn't feeling great but I didn't want to miss our scheduled visit to a local orphanage. After a few reminders not to come back home {Bermuda} with a baby, I headed out ready to pick up some supplies for the orphanage as well as something to fight this sore throat before it gets any worse.
I filled up a shopping cart with things I thought would be helpful, practical and fun.  Joseph accompanied me and Teddy helped to provide some suggestions.
I also grabbed some fruit juices, Strepsils and all natural medicine for me.
Once my groceries were all boxed we headed out to the van and Papa John helped put the box in his van. 
It was a bit of a drive out to the orphanage so I got some rest on the way.  When we arrived I instantly felt welcome.  The children came out to meet us and took the donations inside to a table.  Then they sang a few songs for us.  It was beautiful.  Nixon, one of our local volunteers, (not to be confused with the safari driver) translated the story of the orphanage as given by the Mama.
The orphanage began when they found a little boy sleeping in the sewer drains. They had a small wooden house but they took him home.  It wasn't long before they had more children.  The husband is a guide at Mount Kilimanjaro and one day he must have told a tourist about their children.  In 2006 they received a donation from that tourist to start building a bigger home and by 2007 the house was finished. 
The first boy they had is now grown up and working at the Tanzanian Revenue Authority and another is a teacher.  Many of their other children are in university. They have quite an age range in the house now and two little ones with special needs. The other children interact nicely with the children with special needs.  You can see the love, patience and understanding they have.
After a tour of the property we went out to see their church where they sang a few more songs. We then played some games outside until it was time to go. 
It was great to see them all living happily as a family. They were so appreciative of our time and gifts but really I was grateful for the experience of being with them and getting to see how they live first hand. It sounds cliché, but I really did feel warm inside 😊❤.