Wednesday

Today was probably one of the most emotional days for me (Joey). The day started as the last few have: playing with the babies and toddlers in the morning, then teaching the newborn care class to the caregivers (there were 16 women today) and then craft class with the older kids in the late morning. (Jennifer went to another orphanage/school today to paint—she isn’t back yet, so I’ll make her post a report in a little bit!)

This afternoon another woman from our group, Angel, asked me to go with her to the Hannah House for Orphans (these children are local children and not up for adoption—their parents have died or cannot care for them anymore). Angel is an American link from her church to the orphanage, because they are looking for a church sponsor for the children. We met the woman in charge, who showed us around. The sparse yard had plastic tables and chairs, and surrounding it were “classrooms”—corrugated metal shacks with a sheer curtain used as a door—no electricity—and broken tables and chairs used for desks. The classrooms were very dark. Rocks and debris littered the yard. This is where the older children stay and attend school. The younger children are about 6 hours away in another city.

The majority of the children at Hannah’s House for Orphans come from the prison system in Addis Ababa. If a child steals or is caught doing another crime, they are sent to prison for kids 9-17. When they are let out, it is to the street to live. Another scenario is that in Ethiopia, children can go live with their mother if the mother is sent to prison (most are in prison for murder). The mothers usually take their children to live with them in the prison-which means no education, stimulation, or play. A dark cell is their home. They grow up ignorant and completely incapable of taking care of themselves. When they are released from prison at the age of 18, most will commit a crime to go back to prison because that is all they know.

The goal for the Hannah House for Orphans is to find these children in prison and try and get the mother to release them to the Hannah House. This way they can go to school, socially interact, and attend learn about Jesus. The hope is that when the children are 18, they will go to the university (if you can understand English well enough to pass the courses... It’s also completely free if, after you graduate, you work for the Ethiopian government for 2 years.)

The woman in charge currently has 2 students at the university who otherwise would be in the streets. There are more than 100 students currently at the compound. They live about a block away in tiny shacks (about 8 x 8) where they cook for themselves, and sleep two to a bunk bed, with a housemother in each room.

As we were in the main area, a girl (who didn’t know her age-she had been on the streets too long)—was found naked on the streets, and dropped off at the compound. They gave her clothing, and a place to live and learn. It was the most amazing site I had ever seen—and Angel and I fought not to cry in front of them. They are very proud of their country and it’s just not appropriate for us to show our emotions in their presence. This is the way they live…and there are some angels of God that are trying to make the orphans of Ethiopia have a safe place to grow up.

It’s one of those days that I need to find a quiet place to cry for awhile and try to grasp the enormity of the situation. As we walked away, again the thoughts raced through my mind—how can we help them? What do they need? Where are we needed? The needs of this city and country are SO great. I have all her information and am going to try and raise some funds for her (for example-$30 a month to feed, clothe and educate a child)—or raise money for textbooks (they use old American ones)…and as she said…anything helps.

Our taxi driver was explaining how helpless the situation in Ethiopia was for orphans-and he pleaded with us to help Americans understand. Now I know what he’s saying-if you come here, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the poverty and helplessness of the children.

The bright side to all of this is that I also am constantly amazed at how much love the children have for one another. They are each other’s lifelines. The volunteers, caregivers and workers are very proud of the work they do and it shows. Their compassion and encouragement for each other is uplifting to all of us. It is the bright light in the very dark world.

Tonight we will rest. Again, I believe because of your prayers we have amazing energy, are healthy, and rested. It’s easy not to think of your personal needs when you see so many others who are troubled and hurting. I’ll have Jennifer post when she gets back to the volunteer house. Your prayers mean the world to us!

P.S. On the compound wall, a child wrote: My Heart Belongs to Jesus
Amen!