October 1, 2008 - By Grace part 3

Back in July I wrote two blogs about an orphanage we visited in Nairobi called "By Grace", which Kristoffer knew of through work initially, but to which we have become personally attached. We have brought our visitors to see the orphanage and Kristoffer has been working to get more food aid to them for the 300 children who live and attend school there. The orphanage is in the process of buying land on which to build a proper school and dormitories (their current facilities are the worst imaginable). The people who operate this orphanage are very Christian and very grateful for all donations and support; the children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and, while their circumstances could be described as dire, they remain hopeful for their futures. Please see the blogs from July 23rd (By Grace) and July 27th (By Grace part 2) to find out more information. Below are some very belated pictures of our first visit with Kirsten and Hans. Thanks to Hans for taking such great pictures!

I would also like to add that it is a very humbling experience to be bringing a child into the world at the same time as we are getting involved with this orphanage. Our child will have access to good medical care and be well-fed, be sheltered in sanitary conditions and properly clothed, our child will be infinitely loved...he or she will essentially want for nothing. We have realized what an enormous responsibility this is and how important it is for our child to understand and appreciate his/her fortune and opportunities.

-LMW

Two pictures below of one small classroom. During the day there could be over 20 children attending an early primary school class, and at night there will be the same amount of children sleeping in the room.


These are their (decrepit) mattresses, which are rolled up during the day so the rooms can be used for school.

These are some of the desks for the classrooms that are stored on the fire escape during the night time and on weekend when children are not in classes.

The chairs below are used for the older students. They store their personal belongings below during the daytime.

The following five pictures are of children outside at the "assembly" they held for us. There was dancing by the younger children and then singing by the older orphans. The white woman in the first pictures is an American volunteer affiliated with the orphanage; she is a university professor who spends all of her holidays at the orphanage and participates in significant fundraising activities for them.





Kristoffer, Kirsten, and I each had to speak to the orphans on our first visit. Here is Kristoffer's motivational speech.

The children were extremely sweet and well-behaved.