We then got to the volunteer house and were given a quick tour by Amy before heading to bed all knackered! There were lots of new noises to get used to in the night including bugs, dogs and a call to worship at some time in the early hours! I've now started sleeping with ear plugs in!
Monday we went into Mwanza town and Amy showed us around and we had lunch in a cafe run by street children which was really nice! We also stopped by the baby home and had an orientation!
The volunteer house is in a small village and all the local people are really friendly and say hi as you walk past. The children are always so excited to see us as we walk to the baby home and shout 'muzungu' which means white person...or apparently the direct translation is person who walks fast! There is a small market which sells fruit and veg, clothes, drinks and some snacks!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we did shifts at the baby home..it's an early start most days as the morning shift starts at 7.15. The mornings and evenings are madness with about 35 toddlers to be fed, bathed , dressed and entertained and another 9 babies! While the toddlers are waiting for their showers they watch The Wiggles and they know every song and dance which is so cute and entertaining to watch! The rest of the day is mostly spent outside in the garden where we try to set up activities for the children such as colouring, face painting, bubbles, balloons or using the paddling pool! It's always slight chaotic and the children have so much energy and they all want to sit on your knee at once so most of the time there is at least 3 of them climbing on you! They are all absolutely adorable, but it is extremely tiring and I'm knackered by the end of the day!
The tiny babies (up to 6 months) are in a separate house so one afternoon we went to see them and took a few of then outside for an hour, as the almost never go outside! They're so unbelievably cute, although I did get thrown up on quite a few times! In the last 3 days 3 new babies have arrived - a 3 month old girl and 2 week old twin girls who were premature and are tiny! I've not seen any of them yet but am hoping to see them this afternoon!
I've also done some physio work with the special needs children. There are 2 children with severe cerebral palsy and 1 with severe brain damage. They are all unable to move independently and spend most of their day in chairs. I don't think they get physio very often so myself and one of the other volunteers who is also a physio took them in the sensory room the other day which they seemed to really enjoy! There is also a little boy with less severe cerebral palsy who can crawl around on his stomach so I'll be doing some work with him while I am out here too! It's very difficult for children with special needs out here as they do not have access to medical treatment. The government believe that they are a waste of time and money and should not be kept alive. Amy generally only keeps children until they are 5 but she has had permission to keep the special needs children at Forever Angels until they are 18 as there is nowhere else for them to go. The equipment out here is very limited but they do have some so I will be doing the best I can while I'm out here!
On Friday I had a day off so 3 other volunteers and I went for pancakes at the cafe run by the street children, called Binty Maringo, which were so yummy! We then visited the western supermarket - everything imported is extremely expensive here and I haven't had any cereal yet as a box is about £5! Definitely having massive cereal cravings as I practically live off it at home! Then we headed to a local hotel and chilled by the pool and had dinner which was lovely! It is crazy that in 5 minutes you go from walking past many street children to being at an amazing hotel.
So far I'm having a really great time! Haven't had too many horrible bugs yet although we did find a huge African snail in the house last night!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we did shifts at the baby home..it's an early start most days as the morning shift starts at 7.15. The mornings and evenings are madness with about 35 toddlers to be fed, bathed , dressed and entertained and another 9 babies! While the toddlers are waiting for their showers they watch The Wiggles and they know every song and dance which is so cute and entertaining to watch! The rest of the day is mostly spent outside in the garden where we try to set up activities for the children such as colouring, face painting, bubbles, balloons or using the paddling pool! It's always slight chaotic and the children have so much energy and they all want to sit on your knee at once so most of the time there is at least 3 of them climbing on you! They are all absolutely adorable, but it is extremely tiring and I'm knackered by the end of the day!
Watching the wiggles before bed!
The tiny babies (up to 6 months) are in a separate house so one afternoon we went to see them and took a few of then outside for an hour, as the almost never go outside! They're so unbelievably cute, although I did get thrown up on quite a few times! In the last 3 days 3 new babies have arrived - a 3 month old girl and 2 week old twin girls who were premature and are tiny! I've not seen any of them yet but am hoping to see them this afternoon!
One of the new babies!
Me and one of tiny babies!
The smaller of the new twins
I've also done some physio work with the special needs children. There are 2 children with severe cerebral palsy and 1 with severe brain damage. They are all unable to move independently and spend most of their day in chairs. I don't think they get physio very often so myself and one of the other volunteers who is also a physio took them in the sensory room the other day which they seemed to really enjoy! There is also a little boy with less severe cerebral palsy who can crawl around on his stomach so I'll be doing some work with him while I am out here too! It's very difficult for children with special needs out here as they do not have access to medical treatment. The government believe that they are a waste of time and money and should not be kept alive. Amy generally only keeps children until they are 5 but she has had permission to keep the special needs children at Forever Angels until they are 18 as there is nowhere else for them to go. The equipment out here is very limited but they do have some so I will be doing the best I can while I'm out here!
On Friday I had a day off so 3 other volunteers and I went for pancakes at the cafe run by the street children, called Binty Maringo, which were so yummy! We then visited the western supermarket - everything imported is extremely expensive here and I haven't had any cereal yet as a box is about £5! Definitely having massive cereal cravings as I practically live off it at home! Then we headed to a local hotel and chilled by the pool and had dinner which was lovely! It is crazy that in 5 minutes you go from walking past many street children to being at an amazing hotel.
View over Lake Victoria from the hotel
So far I'm having a really great time! Haven't had too many horrible bugs yet although we did find a huge African snail in the house last night!
That's all for now but I'll try to keep updating as I go along!
Amazing cuz love your Blog can't wait for your next instalment you are so doing such an amazing thing they are soooo lucky to have you photos are fab xxxxxxxxx
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