Hey everyone!
We’ve just arrived in Njombe after spending the past 10 days at the Igoda Children’s Village in Mufindi, where orphaned children without extended family can live. During our time here, we got to know the children and their guardians through a variety of activities. During the day, we were split into small groups and took turns visiting Igoda Primary School, the Kindergarten at the Children’s Village as well as the area’s CTC (Care & Treatment Center) which serves 16 villages heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. Infection rates have been as high as 35% in the project area and nearly 50% for women of child-bearing age. During the morning of our CTC day, we processed patients at the center, but we spent the afternoon visiting affected families in the village with home-based care workers who check in with those who are unable to get to the CTC.
We spent our evenings either helping out in the Baby House (where the infants of the Children’s Village live), playing football (soccer) with the secondary school students or relaxing at home with a book. At night, we spent time tutoring the secondary school kids and also had the opportunity to paint Tinga Tinga style paintings (named for a local artist) with them under the guidance of Chasaki, a professional painter. We were also fortunate enough to have Chasaki’s expertise when we painted House 6 in the Children’s Village!
We met so many wonderful people at the Children’s Village that it was difficult for us to pack up and move on, but we’re also excited to volunteer with Ohana Amani and meet our homestay families!
-Becca