Bonswa, today was an amazing and blessed day. This morning we went to the New Hope Community Center (Smith's neighborhood) and played with the children in the community. We did different activities with the children such as water colored painting and different games. There was dancing, smiles, laughing, just so much joy all around. We as the team made PB sandwiches for a snack to give to the children. Some of the kids shared with their siblings or took it home to share with their family. Their unselfishness was so impressive to us. In the afternoon we visited a home for sick and dying children. We each fed a baby or toddler and played with them for a couple hours. Here is a personal note from one of the goers who went to the home for sick and dying:
"I met a little girl today. Her face was round and chubby. She had curly black hair and skin the color of chocolate. A perfect baby. But something was missing. I noticed it right away when I walked into the room. I saw her standing there in that orphanage in her little rusty metal crib, her chubby brown legs sinking into the old, worn mattress and knew right away that something was wrong. Something important was missing. Anyone could have noticed. Any normal person walking into that room could have seen that her smile was missing. No emotion showed on her face. Nothing. My heart hurt as I spooned Haitian pudding into her sweet little mouth. She mechanically ate until the tin bowl was empty and I scooped her into my arms to clean her up and change her. Still no emotion crossed her face. No smile, no happiness, no crying. Just... nothing.... I had never seen a child like this. So empty of love and so full of nothing. I tried in vain to get her to smile. Or her eyes to connect with mine. Or even for her to reach out or point to something. Still nothing. I tried everything. Tickling her, talking to her, playing pat a cake, cuddling... but none of my efforts were successful. So I simply sat and held her. She was starved for human touch. Nobody had held her all day. Maybe not the day before either. After a while, she seemed to relax a little and I took her chubby hand and we walked over to the playground. I set her on the slide and helped her sweaty little legs scoot down. She got to the bottom and I looked at her adorable face to see her reaction. To my surprise, I saw a smile and sparkling eyes. I threw her up in the air and caught her. I squeezed tight, so happy, and giggle escaped from her. Her face lit up. I loved a little girl today..."
