Time really slows down here, even though the days go by so quickly! Leah and I’ve had a full last few days. Yesterday we began work at the baby home Acacia Tree. It’s a nice twenty minute walk from the hostel—on our way we pass the President’s house, which looks a lot like the White House. Acacia Tree is actually run from Robin Hancock’s, the founder and director of AT, home. I’m amazed at how many people live there. There’s currently four babies there as well as Robin, her two Ugandian daughters and Blessed and Desire, the helpers at AT. We’re hoping more babies arrive soon, but we’ve still managed to stay busy.
Children are usually brought to Acacia Tree if they’re malnourished or abandoned by their parents. The babies there now are all boys: Jonathan, Isaac, Moses (my favorite!), and little John Mark. Jonathan is the smallest four year old I’ve ever seen, and is HIV positive. He’s very sweet, and also very independent. He doesn’t really like being held. Isaac will be soon be adopted by an American couple. He’s just over a year old, and very healthy. He was brought to AT after his mother died and his father was unable to care for him. Baby Moses came to AT severely malnourished after his mentally ill mother also couldn’t care for him. He’s now a year and half, and has only recently begun gaining weight. I’ve quickly fallen in love with him. He has this sweet habit of waving to you whenever you make eye contact with him. He doesn’t have enough muscle strength to stand on his own yet, but he should after gaining more weight. Olive oil is mixed in with all his bottles and meals to plump him up. Another secret baby plumping trick is called ‘Plumpy Nut.’ It’s a concoction of peanut butter, sugar, and Crisco!
The hardest part about being here is when children from the street rush up to me and Leah because we’re mzungu. Most of the time they’re simply being friendly, but sometimes they ask us for money and clothes. Fortunately, Leah stops me from emptying my pockets! And it’s good because the Ugandians must learn to rely less on outside aide.
Today’s Saturday, so now on to the beach at Lake Victoria! In other news, the fruit is unbelievable here! I could eat pineapple here every day all day.
More soon.
E.
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