Orphanage - Kwasadala

The word orphanage implies that the children hope to eventually be adopted. Or, it conjures up images of the musical "Annie" - that there are things like electricity and a bed for each child.

The place I visited Thursday will forever be imprinted in my mind. It is called Kwasadala and is a family's home. Rosmin and his wife have taken in 35 children from the street ages 3-18. Yes, 35. The first child was brought home 9 years ago when  Rosmin found him with pneumonia. His wife Paulina said after taking him to the hospital the child was no better off then where he started if returned to the streets. He continued to find children that need a home and word spread about their generosity.

Upon arriving at Kwasadala the 5 of us enter the small wooden room and are greeted by the warmest gospel song I've ever heard. What moves us the most is the contagious happiness of the entire family stepping, clapping and singing to the beat. They each introduce themselves. We dry our eyes and respond with each of our names. Rosmin laughs when Michele introduces herself and he says, "like Obama's wife!" We bring rice, sugar, soap, some clothes and a soccer ball they are all eyeing giddily.

Rosmin gives us a tour of their home. Heartbreaking doesn't even begin to describe it. The girls and boys sleep 3 to each bed - 6 children in one bunk bed. Their grandmother also sleeps in bed with the girls.The bedrooms are very tiny and some of the mattresses are unfortunately soiled from the children having wet the beds during nightmares. The 'kitchen' consists of one very large bag of maize surrounded by flies and one large mixing bowl. No sink, no stove. Items are cooked over a fire outside. Thankfully the older boys are building some sort of a new kitchen room out back. They are making each brick and building it one at a time. They are able to do this from donations from those who have visited their home.

We join the children outside to help pick grass for the cows. We all laugh as they ask "Do you grow maize or have a cow at home?" They also find it funny that as I pick the grass I am very careful to not pick the actual crops. To my city-eye they all look similar.

After we feed the cows  Rosmin shows us the seperate "building" that functions as a schoolroom/church. It slightly resembles a worn down log cabin with open entrance. The children are home-schooled until they are on par with children their age and then entered into school locally. They have excellent English and I'm impressed with their knowledge of America and the questions they ask me.

Family mass is held twice a day in this teeny, tiny room. A chalkboard on one side, a table that functions as an alter on the other.  Rosmin invited us to come on Sunday and I think we'll have to take up him on the offer. I look over and notice the kids playing with a grouping of plastic bags loosely taped in the shape of the ball. When we bring the new bight blue soccer ball it is like Christmas morning for all 35 of them. I think of all the toys collecting dust in most family's houses. One ball will bring this entire family some fun for weeks to come.

We continue to all hold back tears as we see a form of happiness we could never imagine. Two of the children are the parent's biological children but they quickly shake their heads and explain they are all their children. Each and every one of them is so happy to simply have a bed to share, a roof over their head, parent's to love and care for them, and really not much else. They know that if they were still on the streets, they likely wouldn't be alive.

I tell  Rosmin the children are blessed to have them in their lives, and he responds saying he only is doing what he can. The kindness, love and generosity is overwhelming I can barely keep from crying. I'm also struck by the strong faith that gets this family through. What I've seen defines, "God will provide" in a way I've never seen before.

It makes me so sad that this wonderful home is so far from getting much support from a country as wealthy as ours. $10 would probably help this entire family eat for a week. I think of the lattes and expensive glasses of wine I carelessly chug regularly.

Seeing a place like this with little infrastructure to support it makes me so thankful I am here. Unfortunately, being here in person is the only way to make a difference in these people's lives. At least for right now. We pledge to come back at least a few more times and bring whatever food we can, clothes we are tired of, and joy to share. I'm determined to make those Target t-shirts I brought down here end up doing some good.

To complete the wonderful day we received the following note from Rosmin in thanks:

OH My God thank you so much for your coming to our home. I enjoyed a lot for your Coming. how lovely that you humble your self and come to see us. who are we that you spent your time to come to visit us. we appreciated  a lot and we put you in our lives as one of our family. Thank you so much for the lovely Photo which is surrounded by the Love you brought.     You are most welcome again and again.