Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)

Today was a very special day. I had the opportunity to work with the Orphans and Vulnerable Children program (OVC) associated with AMPATH. OVC helps orphans and struggling families to get back on their feet by providing food as well as teaching skills such as how to raise and sell chickens/eggs, farm, manage money, etc. The projects are sustainable and help the families make their own living again. OVC also places children in schools and childrens' homes if needed.

I was able to work with Elizabeth, one of the administrators of OVC. We went "on the field" (to families' homes) with a Kenyan social worker and a Kenyan community health worker. The community health worker is responsible for identifying the families and/or children that may be potential candidates for OVC. Then, the social worker and Elizabeth go visit the family and assess the living situation.

Now, when Elizabeth told me that we would be doing "field work," I did not take this literally. However, after hiking through cornfields, forest, rivers, rocks, and trees, I realized that she was quite serious. After a short hike, we arrived at a small hut with a family outside. The grandfather greeted us, and everyone, including the children, shook our hands. (This is customary in Kenya and it is considered rude if you do not shake hands.) The grandfather pointed at my hair and laughed- I don't know if he has never seen blond hair before or if I was just having a bad hair day. Anyway, we sat and talked to the family for a few minutes and the children sat quietly and played with each other. Their clothes would not even be considered rags by American standards, but they were happy, clean, and did not appear malnourished. Their home consisted of a single circular hut made with dirt, clay, manure, and sticks/hay (I forgot the real name) for the roof. The inside was completely bare except for some more clothes/blankets hanging inside and a stove made of the same material as the hut. The stove was like a miniature cave where a fire would be started, and the rock above it would get hot where a pot could be placed for food. I remember standing in the hut and looking around me; I was seeing everything first-hand, yet I could not comprehend someone living in these conditions for years- and happily! It was truly amazing.

Back outside the hut, I gave the children one of the dolls I brought that were made by the Libertyville High School swim team. When I offered it to them, the oldest boy was scared at first. Eventually, he approached me and accepted the doll. His siblings all gathered around and they examined it and played with it. They were so happy, and the oldest boy held the doll so tightly. As we finished our visit and I was walking away from the hut, I looked back and the mother was holding the doll showing all her children who had gathered around and were touching it with huge smiles on their faces. I wish I had brought more dolls with me on this visit, but the joy that they showed with even one was truly touching. I hope that the doll can bring them comfort on rainy nights like tonight or stimulate their imagination when they are playing during the day.

I was also able to visit Brook of Faith school during my OVC visit. Children live at this school and attend classes with each other. It is a beautiful little school, and they are currently trying to fund a soccer field. These children are fed three times a day, and they have the potential for a successful future through this community support.

The surrounding lands were beautiful. I remember all the hills and rocks that we saw during the drive. Remember the big rock on the movie The Lion King? Where they sang The Circle of Life? (I know you remember this Hanna!) There was a rock just like that here! It was just like the movie- I didn't have my camera, but watch the Lion King and you'll see :)

The entire experience felt like a dream. You can see these types of conditions on TV or hear about them, but it is completely different seeing it first hand. I am trying to grasp everything I saw today. Elizabeth told me that you can't solve poverty, but you can help a family make the best out of their current situation. Education is a powerful tool, and school for these orphans is their big chance for a way out of poverty. Children are strong and positive, and when I walked by they would all smile, wave, and giggle.

I hope the best for them, and I hope to be able to help more families during my time here. We are so blessed, and I will definitely think twice before I complain about not sleeping well or food or studying too much whatever. What a great thing to take joy in what you have and in the people around you! Today was both challenging and rewarding, and I will remember it always.

More soon.
Hope all is well at home!
Love to all in the US!