30.3.06
Village of Hope
So far I’ve been to the Village of Hope three times. The first time, we picked Serge up in the morning (the Bersaglio’s let us drive their truck home the night before). Luckily, on the way to their house we only got lost once, instead of 3 times (like the day before). Serge drove us the rest of the way there. We drove down the big hill that mini buses race each other down (and 40 people are killed every time they crash), then turned on to a street that was made more of pot holes than pavement, and the road is extremely sloped so when you drive on one side, your vehicle is at a 25 degree angle.
Pretty soon, we came to a sign for Village of Hope, and turned down another street- well, it’s more of a path for cars, than a street. Up, down, up down… you sort of got used to the rhythms of the pot holes. It felt like we were on a safari or something, because the grass on either side was about 4 feet high, and there was only room for one car. Suddenly, on the left side of the road, a shantytown appeared, and I saw World Vision live. One room houses- some without roofs, others with tin roofs, and piled on top- chairs, bricks, dirt, rocks, or other objects - to keep the tin on when the rain and wind pick up. But these were just the outskirts of the village, and Serge told us that the houses had about three or four rooms in them, and just as many 7+ person families each rent out a room to live in. Outside the houses, nearer to the road, were the bathrooms. Plastics bags, framed by sticks, patched together to make a sort of lean-to stall. But there were people all along that road. Little kids, waving, shouting “Bye!” as our truck drove by, old women gardening on the right side of the road, kids in uniforms walking to school, other people walking (most likely) to the market.
The gates were opened for us as we drove up to the Village of Hope, and I saw my first view of the orphanage. It was very nice, landscaped, green grass, neatly kept buildings. The road had rose bushes on either side, and a newly planted orchard- donated by some organization. We parked by the administration building, and walked into it. Serge introduced us to several of the staff (Frieda, Charlene, Judi), then we went into the house that was connected to it, and briefly talked with some of the kids (Sam- who we didn’t recognize, Happy, Noah, Catherine, Mary). Then Serge gave us a tour of the property, the play grounds, school, pre-school, container, bathrooms, and showed us the 12 houses. We got to go into one of the houses, and the house mother’s name was Kristin. Each house has a living room area as you walk in, then the kitchen, the girls room (3 bunks), the boy’s room (3 bunks), the washroom area (which is one room, opening up into showers/toilets each with their own separate door), and the mother’s room. The houses are very nice, clean, and well laid out.
Afterwards I decided to go to the playground right near the administration office, which was full of kids- little kids. I walked towards it, and right away, five different kids were yelling, “How are you, how are you?” As I got closer, I said hello to one kid, and about 15 came and swarmed me. They crowed around in a semi circle, some touched my hair, others just waving. I asked them how they were, and they all replied in unison, “Fine.” I asked them (all I knew) in Bemba, “Muli Shani?” and again, in unison, “Bueno.” They were apparently too shy, or didn’t know enough English to say their names, because all I got were blank stares when I asked- but then again, they all looked about 4 years old.
The next day I helped Elaine with going to the houses and making collages out of magazines and the like. We went to house 7, where Norrah is the house mother. There were 4 kids home from school- Wendy, Samson, Memory, and one more boy. I enjoyed myself, and made my own collage (which is now up in my room because it is so bare- except for the ‘Rad Rad Robotank’ sign). The only thing was, Elaine forgot to say her rule was English only, so they spoke Bemba the whole time- that is, when they did speak. This house was silent, they spoke every few minutes, but usually in whispers.
Today James (the driver) drove my mom and I to the Village of Hope, because my dad was at home overseeing the welders fixing our gate. We went to the same playground, and talked to the kids. This time there were about 50 kids on the playground, all talking, and swinging, teeter-tottering, and jumping off the tires. I started asking names, going through the “how are you, fine” process, and waving. My mom and I each developed a semi circle pretty fast. They kept waving, and staring at me, so I ‘peace signed’ them, and the caught on really fast. Soon we were one giant circle on the road, and the boys were racing eachother. (Steven was the fastest, and won most of the time.) I decided that they should try a new kind of race- a hopping on one foot race- and all of a sudden about 20 little boys were hopping down the road. One boy fell flat on his face because his pants fell down. It was hilarious, them hopping, some skipping because they wanted to be faster, so funny! Then we just stood there for a while, so I taught them (at least, I think I did… they might have already known it) ‘head and shoulders knees and toes.’ We played that for a while, then my mom tried to get them to sing. They all half whispered different tunes.
Later on we met Peter and Mary, who we talked to for a while. Peter remembered all three Schultz’s, and my dad and brother. Near by there were some kids playing, and I learned their names- Agatha, Bridget, Christabel, Medium, and David. I didn’t mention how cute all the kids are. SO CUTE! So amazingly cute. Big eyes, perfect faces, nice features, tiny, CUTE. CUTE, little kids! They’re cute, they’re little, they’re kids! Wow. That concludes my fist few experiences at the Village of Hope orphanage.
Pretty soon, we came to a sign for Village of Hope, and turned down another street- well, it’s more of a path for cars, than a street. Up, down, up down… you sort of got used to the rhythms of the pot holes. It felt like we were on a safari or something, because the grass on either side was about 4 feet high, and there was only room for one car. Suddenly, on the left side of the road, a shantytown appeared, and I saw World Vision live. One room houses- some without roofs, others with tin roofs, and piled on top- chairs, bricks, dirt, rocks, or other objects - to keep the tin on when the rain and wind pick up. But these were just the outskirts of the village, and Serge told us that the houses had about three or four rooms in them, and just as many 7+ person families each rent out a room to live in. Outside the houses, nearer to the road, were the bathrooms. Plastics bags, framed by sticks, patched together to make a sort of lean-to stall. But there were people all along that road. Little kids, waving, shouting “Bye!” as our truck drove by, old women gardening on the right side of the road, kids in uniforms walking to school, other people walking (most likely) to the market.
The gates were opened for us as we drove up to the Village of Hope, and I saw my first view of the orphanage. It was very nice, landscaped, green grass, neatly kept buildings. The road had rose bushes on either side, and a newly planted orchard- donated by some organization. We parked by the administration building, and walked into it. Serge introduced us to several of the staff (Frieda, Charlene, Judi), then we went into the house that was connected to it, and briefly talked with some of the kids (Sam- who we didn’t recognize, Happy, Noah, Catherine, Mary). Then Serge gave us a tour of the property, the play grounds, school, pre-school, container, bathrooms, and showed us the 12 houses. We got to go into one of the houses, and the house mother’s name was Kristin. Each house has a living room area as you walk in, then the kitchen, the girls room (3 bunks), the boy’s room (3 bunks), the washroom area (which is one room, opening up into showers/toilets each with their own separate door), and the mother’s room. The houses are very nice, clean, and well laid out.
Afterwards I decided to go to the playground right near the administration office, which was full of kids- little kids. I walked towards it, and right away, five different kids were yelling, “How are you, how are you?” As I got closer, I said hello to one kid, and about 15 came and swarmed me. They crowed around in a semi circle, some touched my hair, others just waving. I asked them how they were, and they all replied in unison, “Fine.” I asked them (all I knew) in Bemba, “Muli Shani?” and again, in unison, “Bueno.” They were apparently too shy, or didn’t know enough English to say their names, because all I got were blank stares when I asked- but then again, they all looked about 4 years old.
The next day I helped Elaine with going to the houses and making collages out of magazines and the like. We went to house 7, where Norrah is the house mother. There were 4 kids home from school- Wendy, Samson, Memory, and one more boy. I enjoyed myself, and made my own collage (which is now up in my room because it is so bare- except for the ‘Rad Rad Robotank’ sign). The only thing was, Elaine forgot to say her rule was English only, so they spoke Bemba the whole time- that is, when they did speak. This house was silent, they spoke every few minutes, but usually in whispers.
Today James (the driver) drove my mom and I to the Village of Hope, because my dad was at home overseeing the welders fixing our gate. We went to the same playground, and talked to the kids. This time there were about 50 kids on the playground, all talking, and swinging, teeter-tottering, and jumping off the tires. I started asking names, going through the “how are you, fine” process, and waving. My mom and I each developed a semi circle pretty fast. They kept waving, and staring at me, so I ‘peace signed’ them, and the caught on really fast. Soon we were one giant circle on the road, and the boys were racing eachother. (Steven was the fastest, and won most of the time.) I decided that they should try a new kind of race- a hopping on one foot race- and all of a sudden about 20 little boys were hopping down the road. One boy fell flat on his face because his pants fell down. It was hilarious, them hopping, some skipping because they wanted to be faster, so funny! Then we just stood there for a while, so I taught them (at least, I think I did… they might have already known it) ‘head and shoulders knees and toes.’ We played that for a while, then my mom tried to get them to sing. They all half whispered different tunes.
Later on we met Peter and Mary, who we talked to for a while. Peter remembered all three Schultz’s, and my dad and brother. Near by there were some kids playing, and I learned their names- Agatha, Bridget, Christabel, Medium, and David. I didn’t mention how cute all the kids are. SO CUTE! So amazingly cute. Big eyes, perfect faces, nice features, tiny, CUTE. CUTE, little kids! They’re cute, they’re little, they’re kids! Wow. That concludes my fist few experiences at the Village of Hope orphanage.
# posted by alanna @ 10:42 PM 
Comments:
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Ahhhhh! I don't really know what I am doing right now, I don't even know if I am signing the blog thing right. But I am attempting. Excuse, but where are the pictures lady. AND!!!! tell me all about where you live, is it in town or what????!!!! Well talk to you and yo mama later....Natasha...crazygal_214@hotmail.com....p.s. I am pretty sure that I am the first one to write in this blog deal...I think I deserve uno presento!!
# posted by 
: 2:37 AM
: 2:37 AM
k alanna youre hilarious. so weird. k the little dudes are sweet. milan is usually faster than steven. werid. sometimes peter chashimba too. youre description of house 7 seems werid. maybe they switched peopole around. it used to be agnes in that house and i think nelson or vincent was one of the guys that lived there. ask the little dudes if they remember me...ha they probably would if you showed them a picture. make them have chikcen fights in the nsaka. or race around it. sweet. well good first few visits to voh. tell me more always.
# posted by : 6:10 AM
: 6:10 AM
k alanna youre hilarious. so weird. k the little dudes are sweet. milan is usually faster than steven. werid. sometimes peter chashimba too. youre description of house 7 seems werid. maybe they switched peopole around. it used to be agnes in that house and i think nelson or vincent was one of the guys that lived there. ask the little dudes if they remember me...ha they probably would if you showed them a picture. make them have chikcen fights in the nsaka. or race around it. sweet. well good first few visits to voh. tell me more always.
# posted by : 6:10 AM
: 6:10 AM
Hey Alanna! Well here's my comment. And wait a second, Rad Rad Robo COP? Rad Rad Robotank. Maybe. Or maybe you've changed it. I don't know! Anyways. We all miss you! Post some peek-sures!
# posted by : 4:01 AM
: 4:01 AM
BABY! PHONE ME! I MISS YOU! AND NEVER TEXT ME AT 4AM EVER AGAIN!
love, big sister
love, big sister
# posted by : 1:45 AM
: 1:45 AM
heyyy. It sounds like you're having a lot of fun!! The kids sound soooo cute!! put up pics. I love you, and miss you!!
Jasmine
Jasmine
# posted by : 9:23 PM
: 9:23 PM
Hey alanna!!
sounds like you are having a great time! I MISS YOU tons and I hope to hear from you soon(with more pics i hope)
oh yeah....hope "george" (the monkey) is having a good time too!!
peace out
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sounds like you are having a great time! I MISS YOU tons and I hope to hear from you soon(with more pics i hope)
oh yeah....hope "george" (the monkey) is having a good time too!!
peace out
# posted by : 1:47 AM
: 1:47 AM << Home
