Lately

Monday morning we went to St. Judes Orphanage to see what kind of help we could offer. It was a huge compound. They walked us through the Special Needs buildings, then the secondary school, and then to the nursery. We felt we could be of most help with the littlest ones so we stayed there. There were 34 babies, from about 9 months up to 3 ½ sitting on concrete in the warm shade. The babies were so precious and we each found special ones immediately that we attached ourselves too. Mine was Regina, about 18 months and totally precious and wouldn’t leave my arms. They were all so content, rarely crying, and immediately scolded by the caretakers if they did.  After about an hour of holding and playing with them, we saw a puddle by Jordan’s foot. A few of them were starting to drift off to sleep on the concrete and with along naptime also came puddles of urine. Looking around we realized none of them had diapers on. As more and more started to fall asleep more and more puddles were created. In a short time the ground was covered in urine and they were all sleeping in it. We ourselves were also covered in it from the ones we were holding as they fell asleep. As soon as the last few had fallen asleep the caretaker went to go prepare bowls of beans and this white mash stuff called pocho. She woke them all up and put all 34 of them a table (no high chairs) to eat out of their bowls with their hands. I had a meeting with Halle (my boss) and we were all reeking of urine so we took off. We were pretty quiet for a long time after that experience. So badly we wanted to have washable, reusable diapers, baby wipes, tissues, and functioning baby clothes for these 34 toddlers. We also wrote down over lunch idea for starting them a website where people could donate and learn about volunteer opportunities they offer. They had a sweet set-up for volunteers but only 1 staying there as its so difficult to learn anything about St. Judes via the web. We are frustrated, but we are still brainstorming. We know this is a place with needs and we want to be there as much as possible, whether it means were soaked in urine or not.

After I talked to Halle, we were cleared to move into the One Mango Tree house. I was so excited to be living in a house again, with a kitchen, my own room and free rent. We packed up, checked out, and found our way there with little problems. Upon arrival we unpacked and got comfortable, a little mortified with the insect problem this house had and how much cleaning our rooms needed. But we moved in regardless. We went to the market to buy brooms, soap, sponges, and more to help us get comfortable. When we got home, darkness set it. The power was out in the house, as it was throughout the whole city. It turned off in the midst of a huge Thunderstorm (we

have them every night) but its rumored that it may be more because of corruption

than the storm. Anyway, it was dark, and Lauranne brought up the issue that

Gihanne, the production manager was coming that night and was going to need

a place to say. Then a few minutes later Halle called me remembering that Hillary

was going to be coming up next week and also needing a room. She asked if

maybe Lauren and Jordan could wait to move in until December. In the dark, I

moved my stuff into the tiny room in the boys quarters that Lauren and Jordan

were sharing. We slapped a slice of bread with our almond butter and had that

and apples for dinner, by the light of Laurens computer screen. After our slice

of bread, we attempted to wash our feet and then the 3 of us crawled into a bed

about the size of a full. We watched 13 going on 30 vowing to take sleeping pills

to e able to fall asleep that night. In the middle of the movie the rain came. First

in little drizzles and then in rain and hail and wind. It came in under our door and

through the window, covering our luggage and floor in rainwater. We attempted

to close the window but every time we tried to pull it in the wind would grab it

back and smack it against the side of the house. The storm was so loud and we

yelled at Lauren not to try anymore, scared the glass would shatter into her face.

Once she got it secure we used a hair tie to secure it and jumped back into bed,

Lauren and I freaked out by the shot-gun thunder (Jordan is so brave). Later the

girl who also sleeps in the boys quarters came home, cursing and yelling and

being a little too rambunctious for us. When she finally settled down we slept

through the night and in the morning tried to tip-toe out as not to wake anyone

through the paper-thin walls.

We decided we couldn’t stay. There just wasn’t enough room and we didn’t want

to overwhelm the people who already lived there. We wanted to wait until there

were more rooms available and we had the freedom to clean and organize to our

hearts desire. So we moved. Moving sucks, it was our 4th time in 2 weeks. Were

learning to shed off everything that’s not necessary and be appreciative because

back at the hotel we had power (on and off) and a fan and 2 beds instead of 1.

So we are back in the hotel and feeling blessed.

Thanks for sharing our adventure,

Martina