Tuesday we started out at the Rainbow School.
Joy--it's the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the kids from the Rainbow School. They smiled, and had flowers for us, and greeted us, again, like royalty. The Rainbow School was really piloted by Mama Munga. The Munga's have two children with special needs, one of which attends the Rainbow School. This is one of only two schools for special needs children in the country. The children do not live at the school and for very good reason. The children need to learn to live in their villages. They will not always have the luxury of living in an adapted environment, so they need to learn to live with and in their surroundings. In addition, their parents need to learn to care for them. Therefore, sending them home at the end of the school day allows their learning to continue. The school is divided into three classrooms by age, the youngest children, the children in the middle and the oldest children. They work with them on all types of skills. They even help them to learn a trade in hopes that they can one day obtain a job. It was probably one of the most eye opening experiences we have ever had. It is such a drastic difference to the services available to those in the US with a dissability.There is much stigma that also comes with having a dissability in this country. However, the Rainbow School is empowering children who are differently abled as well as their families. It is showing communities and individuals that having a dissability does not mean you are unable. It just means you are a little different and need a little more assistance. It gives families a sense of value and worth for their children. And if you look at the faces below it is pretty clear that these children take pride in their lives....
Special needs classroom...
After the Rainbow School we went to the Irente Farm. It is a fully functioning farm and is incredible eco-friendly as is much of Tanzania. They are people who are extremely careful of the resources they have. They do not waste anything and they are very, very respectful of the earth. This was something we all wanted to bring back to the US with us. We literally brought home much of our trash with us. 
We also spent more time at the school for blind children and they had prepared more songs for us to enjoy. 
That evening during our group time, it was ovious that we had all been so inspired and moved by what we had seen that day. We talked about how they give SO much to God and just have this constant faith. They always put God first. It really made us see that when you take away all the material items, what you are often left with is what truly matters. Someone mentioned how thankful they were to see so many doing the work for the least of these. Every single person who gives of themselves to take care of all of these children at the Irente institutions are truly the hands and feet of Christ.They do it without complaint.
Without adequate pay.
But always with love.
On Wednesday we went to the Irente Children's Home. OH. MY. WORD.
Cutest.
Children.
Ever.
I was very close to starting my own kid-napping ring. If it wasn't for immigration and customs and many witnesses, and that rule that they insist on following about having to have a passport to leave the country, I'd be the proud mother of about 12 right now.
The Irente Children's Home is a beautiful space, home to 32 orphaned children. There are 17 children there who are too old for the home but have no where else to go. We met many of the children that day. We played with, held, and loved on sweet little babies. There were several rooms that we went into and each one was lined with white metal cribs Each crib had a baby in it, with a chubby, smiling face. Behind each face, a story. It was a little overwhelming to see such tiny babies, with such heavy stories. Some of the children are completely orphaned. Some have family members elsewhere in Tanzania who are either unable or unwilling to take care of them. Some of the children are HIV positive, which adds much complication to their story and often the results of this are that an adoptive family is unable to be found for them.
Irente Children's Home is for children up to two years old, however, Irente does not send children away at this age. If another placement cannot be found, they stay at Irente. This does create a problem, because these older children do not have anywhere to go and there are not many appropriate social outlets for them. It is also a struggle to find them appropriate housing at Irente. They need to have their own space and not live among babies. Irente Children's Home is working on raising funds to build a home for these children.
When we first arrived at the home, we were met by some students, who of course sang for us. There were a few small children also there, and they were quick to come up to each of us and shake our, hands, say "Jambo," and in turn, melt our hearts. As we were walking to where the babies were, one of the little girls who had greeted us, came up beside me. I took her hand. We all learned later that she is 5 and her name is Laima (Lame-a). As she walked, she held onto my hand, but was walking a little slowly, kind of looking around at all of us. I put my arms down, the univeral question for do you want me to carry you, and she reached back up. I picked her up, and she immediately just clung to me. If I had let go, she would have been attached to me with her arms and legs wrapped around my body. At this point, our group split and 1/2 of us went in one room and the other 1/2 in another room. I carried her into one of the baby rooms. I wasn't feeling particularly well this day, so I was a little "off" and not paying as much attention as I would have liked. I put Laima down and she cried, because she wanted to be held. Sandy took her and carried her around. We eventually left the room with the babies, and at this point, I believe Pastor Sharon was holding Laima. Somehow, at some point I had her back again. We were back with the other 1/2 of our group and I passed Laima off to Lisa, who then carried her around and entertained her for awhile. She really wanted to be carried, she wanted our attention and wanted our love.
After this we met with some of the adults who work at Irente. We presented them with the quilt from our VBS kids and they thought it was just beautiful. We talked for awhile about some of the needs at Irente and hhow the home works and functions. Children come here for many reasons, death of their parents, a parent who is too ill to take care of them, etc. There are times hwen a family can eventually take their child back after they come, but that is not often. If they have living parents, the parents must keep in contact if they ever want to be re-united permanently with their child. The parents or family also pays 10,000 Tanzanian Shillings per month if they are able to, to cover the cost of care for the child. 10,000 Shillings is a little over 7 US dollars. The average salary in Tanzania is 1 US dollar per day. After two years, they look for adoptive parents. Sometimes that is successful and other times it is not--as is the case for 17 of the children at Irente.
And it was after all of this conversation that we learned more about Laima. We learned that she is 5. We learned that she is small for her age. We learned that she is HIV positive. We learned that there was a family that had looked into adopting her. They had gone so far as to get the adoption permit from the Tanzanian government. When they learned she was HIV positive they decided it was not something they could handle and stopped the adoption process. But, she is still a little girl with potential and her story is still a hopeful one. Her story has touched people all over the world. At the moment, a Swedish church pays for all of her medications and she is doing well on the drugs she takes for HIV. A german woman by the name of Marion who is a volunteer there currentlt sponsors Laima's education. Laima cannot go to a regular public school. Because she is HIV positive she requires extra care, more rest and attention than healthy children as well as medication. Public schools in Tanzania are often too crowded and Laima could have found herself in a class with up to 90 other children. It would not be feasible to care for Laima in a public school setting. Thanks to sponsors she is able to go to a private school and receives the love and attention she needs to thrive.
When I got home I didn't think we had any pictures of Laima and I couldn't believe it. Thanks for Facebook I had seen most of the pictures within 24 hours of returning home, but none of Laima. Barb saved the day a few days later because she had the one and only picture that we have of Laima.
We were all touched by this little girl and we realize her story is just one of millions. She is just one of so many children who are living with HIV. We hear that HIV is just wreaking havoc throughout Africa, and now we have a face to go with that. For the rest of my life, when I hear "AIDS Orphan" I know I will think of Laima. And whenever I hear the word "fighter" and "spirited" I will think of Laima. 
A candle was placed in each candle holder and they were lit by the two pastors. Pastor Joyce lit the candle that is in the candle holder that is not sitting on the Alter at LCR. Pastor Sharon lit the candle in the candle holder that remains at Irente.
Without adequate pay.
But always with love.
On Wednesday we went to the Irente Children's Home. OH. MY. WORD.
Cutest.Children.
Ever.
I was very close to starting my own kid-napping ring. If it wasn't for immigration and customs 
The Irente Children's Home is a beautiful space, home to 32 orphaned children. There are 17 children there who are too old for the home but have no where else to go. We met many of the children that day. We played with, held, and loved on sweet little babies. There were several rooms that we went into and each one was lined with white metal cribs Each crib had a baby in it, with a chubby, smiling face. Behind each face, a story. It was a little overwhelming to see such tiny babies, with such heavy stories. Some of the children are completely orphaned. Some have family members elsewhere in Tanzania who are either unable or unwilling to take care of them. Some of the children are HIV positive, which adds much complication to their story and often the results of this are that an adoptive family is unable to be found for them.
Irente Children's Home is for children up to two years old, however, Irente does not send children away at this age. If another placement cannot be found, they stay at Irente. This does create a problem, because these older children do not have anywhere to go and there are not many appropriate social outlets for them. It is also a struggle to find them appropriate housing at Irente. They need to have their own space and not live among babies. Irente Children's Home is working on raising funds to build a home for these children.
When we first arrived at the home, we were met by some students, who of course sang for us. There were a few small children also there, and they were quick to come up to each of us and shake our, hands, say "Jambo," and in turn, melt our hearts. As we were walking to where the babies were, one of the little girls who had greeted us, came up beside me. I took her hand. We all learned later that she is 5 and her name is Laima (Lame-a). As she walked, she held onto my hand, but was walking a little slowly, kind of looking around at all of us. I put my arms down, the univeral question for do you want me to carry you, and she reached back up. I picked her up, and she immediately just clung to me. If I had let go, she would have been attached to me with her arms and legs wrapped around my body. At this point, our group split and 1/2 of us went in one room and the other 1/2 in another room. I carried her into one of the baby rooms. I wasn't feeling particularly well this day, so I was a little "off" and not paying as much attention as I would have liked. I put Laima down and she cried, because she wanted to be held. Sandy took her and carried her around. We eventually left the room with the babies, and at this point, I believe Pastor Sharon was holding Laima. Somehow, at some point I had her back again. We were back with the other 1/2 of our group and I passed Laima off to Lisa, who then carried her around and entertained her for awhile. She really wanted to be carried, she wanted our attention and wanted our love. 
After this we met with some of the adults who work at Irente. We presented them with the quilt from our VBS kids and they thought it was just beautiful. We talked for awhile about some of the needs at Irente and hhow the home works and functions. Children come here for many reasons, death of their parents, a parent who is too ill to take care of them, etc. There are times hwen a family can eventually take their child back after they come, but that is not often. If they have living parents, the parents must keep in contact if they ever want to be re-united permanently with their child. The parents or family also pays 10,000 Tanzanian Shillings per month if they are able to, to cover the cost of care for the child. 10,000 Shillings is a little over 7 US dollars. The average salary in Tanzania is 1 US dollar per day. After two years, they look for adoptive parents. Sometimes that is successful and other times it is not--as is the case for 17 of the children at Irente. 
And it was after all of this conversation that we learned more about Laima. We learned that she is 5. We learned that she is small for her age. We learned that she is HIV positive. We learned that there was a family that had looked into adopting her. They had gone so far as to get the adoption permit from the Tanzanian government. When they learned she was HIV positive they decided it was not something they could handle and stopped the adoption process. But, she is still a little girl with potential and her story is still a hopeful one. Her story has touched people all over the world. At the moment, a Swedish church pays for all of her medications and she is doing well on the drugs she takes for HIV. A german woman by the name of Marion who is a volunteer there currentlt sponsors Laima's education. Laima cannot go to a regular public school. Because she is HIV positive she requires extra care, more rest and attention than healthy children as well as medication. Public schools in Tanzania are often too crowded and Laima could have found herself in a class with up to 90 other children. It would not be feasible to care for Laima in a public school setting. Thanks to sponsors she is able to go to a private school and receives the love and attention she needs to thrive. 
When I got home I didn't think we had any pictures of Laima and I couldn't believe it. Thanks for Facebook I had seen most of the pictures within 24 hours of returning home, but none of Laima. Barb saved the day a few days later because she had the one and only picture that we have of Laima.We were all touched by this little girl and we realize her story is just one of millions. She is just one of so many children who are living with HIV. We hear that HIV is just wreaking havoc throughout Africa, and now we have a face to go with that. For the rest of my life, when I hear "AIDS Orphan" I know I will think of Laima. And whenever I hear the word "fighter" and "spirited" I will think of Laima.
That evening we met with the church elders of Irente to discuss how we want to continue our partnership and to discuss ways to make this happen. We walked about the fact that we have been joined with one another in love and that we are one in Christ. We talked about the fact that it is our desire to continue to do God's work together. We promised them that we would find a way to put our experience into words. One of our biggest struggles is that we knew we would never have the words to adequately describe all that Irente has meant to us and taught us. They told us that they would not forget us coming and that our presence was historical. They told us that they have seen how we love them. We told them that through our experience and meeting them, we felt we had seen the presence of Christ.
That evening we met with the church elders of Irente to discuss how we want to continue our partnership and to discuss ways to make this happen. We walked about the fact that we have been joined with one another in love and that we are one in Christ. We talked about the fact that it is our desire to continue to do God's work together. We promised them that we would find a way to put our experience into words. One of our biggest struggles is that we knew we would never have the words to adequately describe all that Irente has meant to us and taught us. They told us that they would not forget us coming and that our presence was historical. They told us that they have seen how we love them. We told them that through our experience and meeting them, we felt we had seen the presence of Christ.
They had another gift for us. Identical candle sticks. Pastor Sharon made the request that we leave one of the candle sticks there with them, so that we could have one and they could keep one. A symbol of our unity. They would keep a piece of us there with them, and we would take a piece of them home with us.
A candle was placed in each candle holder and they were lit by the two pastors. Pastor Joyce lit the candle that is in the candle holder that is not sitting on the Alter at LCR. Pastor Sharon lit the candle in the candle holder that remains at Irente.
The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one as we are one.
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