26 June 2010

This morning Zazu and I really cleaned our apartment out cuz we have a rat or we suspect a rat family in our room, NOT cool!! Then Rafiki went with A.P. to pick up Baby and Butterfly ( yay!! Now I am so so happy all the kids are finally here under one roof where they should be!) Then Timon, Zazu and I went to do our visit with the head man ( somoeon under the chief, not the chief himself) on the way there they dropped me off at the clinic with Queen ( her foot is swollen and hot) while we were there they ran to Right's house to invite him and his family to the party. Then we went to the headman's house, we visited for awhile then they did the same pass around of the a live chicken, killed it, cooked it and served it to us along with finger milett, and sudza millet ( I didn't eat the chicken, it was to much for me to see if before, see it being prepared then having it served to me.) Also I wasn't a big fan of the sudza's, they were very grainey! We were there for about 2 hours- all I could think about was getting back to all of my kids!

It was so cute Little Rat and Baby Girl really wanted a sweet today so I made them each pick up a dirty sock and a piece of garbage so they could get it. It was so cute to see them work for their treat like everyone else. They are my babies!!

When we got back to MCH all the kids were there!! I got F, Hands and Mana; we went and got the Guinea Fowl and the Chicken then killed them so we could eat them. I taped it and took pictures but I think it really creeped me out to see them cut the heads off-the animals moved for a while without thier heads. I might become vegetarian.

While they were doing that Zazu and I got stuff ready for the birthday party. We baked cakes, made a pin the tail on the donkey, made a happy birthday sign, etc. We then ate our huge feast ( having Right and his family, all of our kids and the women who helped there were alot of people!) We had potatoes, salad, rice, chicken and guinea fowl. Then while they were cleaning up lunch the kids and I started decorating for the party then we took everyone out side and taught them freeze dance and redrover. We then came in and did cake, gifts, and sang to Mr. GQ, Lips, Futbol and AP.

We then played pin the tail on the donkey, played outside, went and fetched water then had everyone up here for our saturday night movie and popcorn- of course the vcr wasn't working again so we watched the news, talked and hung out then sent everyone to bed. I am so sad that all the kids are going back to their different schools tomorrow, I love having the, all here, it's how it is supposed to be! Tomorrow is going to be a sad day! I am so in love with these kids!!

25 June 2010

This morning we went to the clinic to pick up nurse T then we dropped him and everyone off at Nharira Primary School so they could evaluate and check the kids out by checking for malnutrition, worms, and other sickness so we can start the feeding program there as well. Then we headed into town where we stopped by a bulk wholesalers ( imagine a Sam's Club but about 15 times more crazy and hectic), we bought a few things then stopped by a regular grocery store where we bought the rest of the grocieres. Then we wento to the Green Coucal to use the computer and eat a quick lunch before we headed on our way to Nyzura to pick up the kids and bring them here for the weekend!!!!

This is going to be the best weekend EVER having all our kids under one roof where they should be! We got there and had to go get their release papers from the head- they said goodbye to their friends, got a few things, and we were off! We stopped in town and bought them each an ice cream come- they don't get spoiled enough so of course I am willing to do it! Then it was time to go back to MCH, it was such a happy drive and so nice to spend time with them. I can't describe the feeling that I had of finally getting all our kids under on roof- it was such a natural this is what it is supposed to be like kind of feeling. When we go back the kids were so excited to see eachother, I didn't tell the younger kids that the older ones were coming so they were so surprised! It was so cute to see them all run and hug eachother- they were so excited!

I then told them I was going to do my girls sleep over with them so we put all the mats on the floor in the girls room and all the big girls. Rafiki and I slept in there with them- we danced, talked and painted nails! It was so much fun to just hang out with the girls and doing girl stuff! I am so in love with them and we had so much fun! What a great start to a great weekend! GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!!

24 June 2010

This morning Scar had to to an emergency - 18 year old boy who hasn't gone to the bathroom in almost a week ( neither pee or poo). So the girls and I walked to Nharira Secondary School to talk to the headmaster- then we walked to Nharira Primary School to talk to the head master about going tomorrow and evaluate the children for the feeding program. We then were walking to the clinic and the chief's but as we were walking ( we were almost to the murange junction) and Wonton and Cars drove by so they drove us to the clinic and to see the chief. He said they are set and ready for us to stop by on Saturday- we had no clue we were supposed to be going over there so good thing we stopped by today. Man o Man Saturday is going to be a very busy day but I am so excited for it!!

When we got back it was down time / lunch tim for the kids so we hung out around here. Then after awhile I went down and played with Dee-Dee, Volume, N and Simon. Then some how Braids was left at school ( they seriously need to start doing head counts) so I drove down there to get her, when we got back I made sure kids were doing what they were supposed to then I sat down and played with N, Volume, Simon, Dee-Dee, and Jump- they were singing and of course obsessed with the camera. Then Braids came over and was playing with/braiding my hair in very small braids ( I have become use to my hair being messed with/pulled/twisted/braided and everything else possible!)

Then they brought the babies out so Braids and I watched them after awhile we decided to take them up to my flat where Zazu and I rocked the babies to sleep. I then helped Lips with her homework- went down and attempted to get the kids to take their baths- they haven't been the best listeners lately. Then it was dinner time, and I went down and led devotional/ watched the kids do devotional, then it was bed time.

I really need to promise myself to spend more time with the kids and be down there with them the whole time. My trip is coming to a quick end and I am so sad to even think about it! I am so in love with these kids and can't believe how much my life had changed because of them! I love them soooooooo much! YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART- FOR NOW AND FOREVER MORE!

23 June 2010

This morning I slept in as much as possible ( 6:30) cuz I was up half the night coughing. When I got up and got ready I helped get things figured out so they could go to town ( every wednesday Big Blue take patients and others who need to go into Mutare to visit the hospital). Then Rafiki and I sat around read, helped people when they came in and tried to relax a little. We then went down and played with N, Dee-Dee, Volume, and Simon. We started playing a game where Rafiki was the safe point and I would chase after them and get them before they got to Rafiki. It then turned into a game where they would all run away and I would hide so when they would come back I would scare them half to death leaving us all laughing. They then moved inside so Little Rat, Ash ( a workers daughter), and A started playing with us. We did this for awhile then it was thier quiet time so we came back up to our flat.

I saw that Scar was coming (thru the window) so I told the girls I was going to scare him I went and stood so when the door opened I would be behind it. He opened the door and started talking to Rafiki and Timon so I jumped out scaring him so bad I was crying from laughing so hard! We all thought it was the funniest thing! He then told us that at 2 he was leaving to go on an out reach and wanted us to go with him. We did a few things around here, went and ate lunch with the kids and then I fell asleep for about a 1/2 hour. We then got into the truck to leave but had to stop and pick up Mr. Leech from school cuz he got left there. I felt so bad and was kind of mad that they didn't do a head count to make sure they got all the kids.

We then drove forever and went to see a Go-Go she is probably in her 80's can barely walk and is very hunched over. I felt so bad for her and I am glad that I don't have to see my own grandparents like that- flies were even eating at her open wounds- so sad!! We then stopped at the Bull Auction so Scar could talk to someone but us girls were a bit mad because we felt super uncomfortable there were 70+ men there ( most of them were drunk) just staring at us- so creepy. When we finally got back home we discussed what to do about Tude, we then called her up to talk to her so she apologized and stuff but I made it known she is still getting a punishment ( it is NOT ok to threaten someone with an ax). Then Big Blue came back and Zazu is finally back so we talked about stuff that's been happening and now it's time to wind down and head to bed!

I AM IN LOVE WITH THEM!!

Abraham


Simon


Girls beds with mosquito nets


Braids sewing her skirt


Jump and Little Rat napping


Lips and Bugzsy


Our matron cleaning

22 June 2010

This morning I had to take Nala and the Go-Go to the clinic. The doctor wants both of them to go to Mutare tomorrow so they have joined the list of people who are going on Big Blue.

When I got back I started talking to Jump thru the window (this is usually the only way he will play with or talk to either of us- we think he is terrified of white people), he then played with me thru the door- a huge step- I then got him to walk with me to my flat ( I may have offered him a treat, hey I am not ashamed to buy a child's love:).. ) He played up in my flat with me for awhile WAY TO GO JUMP! About an hour later I was saying hi to him from a distance and I reached my arms out to him to hold him and he ran to me for me to pick him up, I think we are making some great progress with him!

I then began cooking lunch/supper for the girls and I ( we had potatoes and veggies that were going to go bad). I took a break from that and went with T to pick up the girls from the school- they went there again to do the FMSC program. When we got back I finished getting the food ready. We played around with N, Queen, Dee-Dee, Mr. Leech, Simon and Volume in our flat for awhile then it was time to send them to class with Mr. B.

Then we had Nala teach us how to wash laundry by hand. It amazes me the physical work that these people do everyday! So we got a couple buckets of water and poured them into the "sink" it's a big cement type sink with ridges on the side for scrubbing your clothes on. After we scrubbed the whites we put them in the rinse bin for Timon to rinse, after whites it was time for colors so we scrubbed and rinsed them- we then did the same process with the blacks and blankets. I don't know how they do this for hours a day, your back ache from bending and your arms and hands get so tired. We then rinsed the clothes one more time and hung them up to dry, we hung them on the fence (wonderfully so it was the entrance fence and it was all our clothes bras and underwear included! Good thing there is no shame nor embarrassment here!:)..) We were tired and yet again humbled by these ladies and the things we take for granted back home.

Finally it was time to go to Right's house- we were going to go on Saturday but I was gone so we were going to go Monday but Rafiki and Timon were gone so we finally made it out there today. When we got there we just kind of sat and talked for a moment and then he introduced us to his children: Belvin ( 1 1/2 years), Ruben ( 4 years), Miriam ( 6 years), Viena ( 8 years) and Rhonda ( 10 years). We took pictures and played around then his wife Princess came in so we talked some more and took more pictures. Princess and Rhonda then made tea for everyone, while we were all sitting the Right and P ( the guard we brought with us) were teaching us Shona, Princess was just laughing at us and the way we pronounce things. I then began playing a game with the kids since they were outside I would run out growling and they would run away laughing. I would hide in different spots and tell Right to call them in but they wouldn't fall for my tricks. It kept both the kids and the adults entertained to watch me run around chasing a scaring the kids.

We then walked across the road to his parents house a very very sweet and kind couple we sat around and visited for a bit then his dad brought a chicken in ( a very alive and still breathing chicken). He wanted to give it to us as a gift so the tradition is for them to pass it around and give it to eachother then give it to us as a symbol that it is a gift from all of them. Luckily I was the camera man so I didn't have to hold the chicken we said our thank yous and joked that we don't know how to cook it since our chicken comes frozen from a store. It was becoming dusk so we needed to head back, we thanked them again and walked back to Right's; chicken in tow ( thanks to our mighty guard for holding it). When we got to Right's I took a couple family pictures and as we were leaving they gave us a Guinea Fowl ( again a very live bird). We thanked them said our goodbyes and got into the truck ( P and the birds in back and the girls and I in the front). The way back we laughed and laughed cuz what are we supposed to do with these birds! :) When we got back P took them to the chicken coop for us.

The kids were outside so we went and visited them. Scar said that receiving a Guinea Fowl is the biggest form of respect and the chicken is the 2nd biggest form of respect. I am so humbled and in love with these people! We decided we will cook them for our big day on Saturday! ( I can't wait to write about it!) We then said our goodnights and the kids went to do devotional while we came up here. I went back to see if they had polished their shoes and there was a big row of freshly polished black shoes. I was so proud of them!! I can't explain how it is even possible for your heart to welcome so many kids in but I am so so in love with them- more so every day!!

I realized today that our time is almost 1/2 over that makes me so sad! I am not ready to leave my kids again! Did I mention I am so in love?!?

Me with Right and his family


Right, his Wife and Parents


Timon holding our chicken


Right with his kids


Our guards with our guinea fowl and chicken


Rafiki and Timon with our guinea fowl and chicken

Us girls washing our clothes

21 June 2010

Today did not start off on the best foot but when does it start off well with nearly 20 kids mad at you? Let me explain.. Yesterday while P was on her rampage she decided that all the kids shoes needed to be taken away since non of them got polished so everyone had to go to school barefoot. So Hyena and I were on shoe patrol and had to take any and all shoes we could find cuz kids were trying to sneak them into the backpacks to wear them later. They were NOT happy! Especially the older ones but I was so proud and impressed with all the younger ones because not one of them put up an argument or gave me any trouble which made it a little easier.

Tude was my biggest struggle today she had told me that she refused to go to school but later started walking there (or so I thought). When Hyena and I were about to leave to make sure that Mr. GQ and Tude did infact go to school Hats stopped us to tell us that Tude did not, that she had stopped down at the guards shack and then decided to walk to L's house (one of our workers) to get a pair of her daughters shoes. I was pretty mad at this point because she gave me so much trouble in the morning, disobeyed again and I was mad at Scar because I specifically asked him to drive her to school because I knew she would not go. When she got bak her and I sat down to talk about it and she was throwing every excuse out there that she could and go on and on about the million and one things that she was mad about which was just making me more angry, I also found out that she yelled at one of our workers today and threatned to hit her with an ax. I told her that when Scar returned we would all sit down together so we could discuss things and come up with a punishment for her.

Hyena and I then went to talk to her headmaster cuz we wanted him to know that the reason she missed school today was because she was being dishonest so if she needed to do something to make up her unexcused absence we would support him I also wanted to find out if she was lashing out at her teachers like she was to the workers at the orphanage because that is not acceptable behavior. I really like her head master and we decided that she will go see the school counslor this week to talk about things because we both feel like there is something that is really bothering her, I will go back next week to talk to him again and see how things are going. I really hope that we can help her but more importantly I hope that she will allow us to help her, we all really care for her ( we care for all the children) and just want what is best for each of them!

When I got back I went down to help care for Bugzy but Little Rat saw me and was very clingy and jealous that I was holding him so I brought both of them up to my flat with me, I sat her on the sofa chair for a moment while I did something with Bugzy and when I looked over she had fallen asleep sitting up- poor baby was so tired! I laid her down on the couch but then decided with all the people coming in and out she would proabably sleep better in in her bed so I took her down.

Some kids came to get the monthly food that we give them ( a nearby residence who has a few orphans). Then all the kids got back from school it was apparent that some of the kids were still mad at me but they all did their chores quickly and without arguing. Then Rock, Mana, Obama and Abraham built a play house so I went in and played with them, Lips then came over and we made mud birthday cakes for Abraham, Obama, Simon and Me since all of our birthdays are in July. Our game then turned into me being queen and the play house being my castle- Hands was my security guard and Rock and Mana were the bad guys, they would kidnap me and Hands would have to come save me we played that for awhile then we all played hide and seek which really was me trying to hide but they would all watch where I went and then attack!

While all the kids were bathing I played with Baby Girl and Jump for a bit til it was there turn to bathe, I then went to turn the lights on since it was starting to get dark- all the batteries were in the red so we couldn't turn them on with out the generator- well we couldn't get the generator to start even after putting gas in it so that means no electricity tonight. I went around and found every candle and flashlight I could find so they could have light at dinner, devotional, and while putting the kids to bed.

While we were eating supper R came and got me, her sons wife who is pregnant was in alot of pain and needed to go to the clinic- oh great I was the only driver (by driver I mean I have tried to drive a standard a few times in America and failed miserably and I have driven one here a couple times) but being the only driver and not willing to let a mom or her baby be in danger since I am scared to drive I took TS (a guard) and we set off. Let me just say that when someone down there says that something is close they have no idea what they are talking about finally me and my white knuckles ( from holding the wheel so tight) -remember there is no electricity at all, we are on small bumpy dirt roads in the middle of nowhere- got safely to the lady and the lady safely to the clinic only to find out that she needs to go to Mutare cuz it is more serious then they thought. Are you flipping serious!? You know it's and hour and a half away- that I have very little standard driving experience and that it's pitch black outside! I of course will do it if I have to but as I was driving back to the orphange to tell Hyena he was in charge all night and what was going on I had my fingers, toes, eyes, nose, ears and everything else I could think of crossed in the hope that Scar was back and would take her. Thanks to my lucky stars he was home so I ran up to him slightly panicked and begging for him to take her and bless his heart he did!

Oh I think I forgot to mention that a GoGo ( old lady) and her son came today they had walked more then 45 kilometers cuz they heard there was a doctor coming to the clinic tomorrow that could help her cuz she can't see, so they were asking if they could get a ride tomorrow of course I said yes an put them up in a room down by the guard to stay for the night- people here amaze me! Also I found out that Nala thinks she is pregnant but has been experiencing some pain and is worried since she had a miscarriage in January and also wanted to go to the clinic tomorrow. Also did I mention that I was alone all day today? Rafiki and Timon had to go to town with Scar, Sarabi was still gone so it was Hyena and I which I am so grateful that he was here - I would have lost it with out him! Well I am exaushted and my nerves are shot! Good Night!

Kourtni and the not so good
busy, stressful, long, tiring
yet still great day!!

I can't help but love all these kids! Every last one of them! Even when they push my buttons I am still 100% head over heels in love with them!


Volume

Simon

The kids getting water for bath time