We had arrived at the orphanage just minutes before lunch. The children queued in a straight line awaiting to be served the days portion of rice and gravy. From the excited talks and smiles, it was apparent that this was a good day. A meal of rice and gravy at this place was a special time. “I guess lady luck smiled on us today”, said a four year old boy just before having his share of the meal.

The elder girls were tasked with role of serving the food. We noted that most of the time, unlike today, they cooked the food. We decided to help the girls with the servings. The children repeatedly thanked us with every spoonful served on their plate. One of the older girls constantly reminded me to reduce the portions I gave. “There are forty more children who haven’t eaten yet, let the food be for everyone,” she said. I was taken aback by this.

After lunch had been served, it was the role of the younger ones to wash the plates and bowls. The boys went to fetch for water in the communal borehole that was about five miles away. In the meantime, we were taken round the orphanage. The site was in a miserable state. The walls were pale and old. The fence was porous; anyone with ulterior motives would have access to the orphanage without much problem.

Then there was this palatial room with double decker beds. A fast headcount of the beds revealed that there were seventeen in number. Meaning that the beds were just enough for thirty-four children. Well, wrong, this was where everyone slept. All the seventy children. We were informed that two children shared one bed. In an extreme case, three younger ones shared a bed.

A meeting with the owner of the orphanage revealed further unfortunate conditions. We learnt that the home was single-handedly run by an elderly woman, probably in her seventies. “I use my retirement benefits to give shelter to these wonderful creations,” said the old woman with a smile on her face. “I know its hard, funding this venture is expensive, my resources will end soon.”

Despite the foregoing, there was still enough love for everyone. They were a family, at least as long as the home was running.

Question 2

The experience at the orphanage was overwhelming. I learnt a lot. I considered myself fortunate. Having a home and the guarantee of having food each and everyday were things I could easily overlook. I learnt to give thanks to everything that comes my way. I am approaching life and its issues with a new sense of positivity and optimism. Despite the glaring trouble faced by the home, the children and the management were optimistic to face a new day as a family with love.

Question 3

The home was serving orphans, abandoned and other vulnerable children within the society. Having a decent meal at this home was not guaranteed as it depended on the old woman retirement benefits, which were almost running out.

There was no running water within the home. The children were forced to fetch water miles away from the communal borehole.

The infrastructure within the home was in adeplorable state. The walls were pale and old. With porous fences, anyone would have access to the home. Since some of the children were vulnerable, they were not safe staying within the home.

There was no enough bed space within the orphanage. Beds were shared amongst the children. It would go to the extreme of three children sharing a bed space.

Question 4

In line with aforementioned challenges within the children’s facility, something should be done to help alleviate their problem.

The orphanage needs publicity. Putting their plight in social media, and interacting with friends and relative over the same might bring new ideas that would give a lease of life to the home. Organizing for a fundraising where members of the public can donate foodstuff, and other nonperishable goods such as beds will be a novice idea.

I intend to solicit for a local or international donor to help with the funding problem. This task will be challenging on the start.

The first initiative I intend to do with the home is to help with the paintwork and repair of the porous fences. I intend to organize with friends and relatives to take part in the initiative over the coming weekends. This will give the children a more decent place that they can call home.

I believe that by doing the aforementioned, we shall not just make the wonderful children and the owner happy, but will have given hope to an entire society. It doesn’t matter how small we shall start; the idea is to do something to alleviate the plight of these children.

We had arrived at the orphanage just minutes before lunch. The children queued in a straight line awaiting to be served the days portion of rice and gravy. From the excited talks and smiles, it was apparent that this was a good day. A meal of rice and gravy at this place was a special time. “I guess lady luck smiled on us today”, said a four year old boy just before having his share of the meal.

The elder girls were tasked with role of serving the food. We noted that most of the time, unlike today, they cooked the food. We decided to help the girls with the servings. The children repeatedly thanked us with every spoonful served on their plate. One of the older girls constantly reminded me to reduce the portions I gave. “There are forty more children who haven’t eaten yet, let the food be for everyone,” she said. I was taken aback by this.

After lunch had been served, it was the role of the younger ones to wash the plates and bowls. The boys went to fetch for water in the communal borehole that was about five miles away. In the meantime, we were taken round the orphanage. The site was in a miserable state. The walls were pale and old. The fence was porous; anyone with ulterior motives would have access to the orphanage without much problem.

Then there was this palatial room with double decker beds. A fast headcount of the beds revealed that there were seventeen in number. Meaning that the beds were just enough for thirty-four children. Well, wrong, this was where everyone slept. All the seventy children. We were informed that two children shared one bed. In an extreme case, three younger ones shared a bed.

A meeting with the owner of the orphanage revealed further unfortunate conditions. We learnt that the home was single-handedly run by an elderly woman, probably in her seventies. “I use my retirement benefits to give shelter to these wonderful creations,” said the old woman with a smile on her face. “I know its hard, funding this venture is expensive, my resources will end soon.”

Despite the foregoing, there was still enough love for everyone. They were a family, at least as long as the home was running.

Question 2

The experience at the orphanage was overwhelming. I learnt a lot. I considered myself fortunate. Having a home and the guarantee of having food each and everyday were things I could easily overlook. I learnt to give thanks to everything that comes my way. I am approaching life and its issues with a new sense of positivity and optimism. Despite the glaring trouble faced by the home, the children and the management were optimistic to face a new day as a family with love.

Question 3

The home was serving orphans, abandoned and other vulnerable children within the society. Having a decent meal at this home was not guaranteed as it depended on the old woman retirement benefits, which were almost running out.

There was no running water within the home. The children were forced to fetch water miles away from the communal borehole.

The infrastructure within the home was in adeplorable state. The walls were pale and old. With porous fences, anyone would have access to the home. Since some of the children were vulnerable, they were not safe staying within the home.

There was no enough bed space within the orphanage. Beds were shared amongst the children. It would go to the extreme of three children sharing a bed space.

Question 4

In line with aforementioned challenges within the children’s facility, something should be done to help alleviate their problem.

The orphanage needs publicity. Putting their plight in social media, and interacting with friends and relative over the same might bring new ideas that would give a lease of life to the home. Organizing for a fundraising where members of the public can donate foodstuff, and other nonperishable goods such as beds will be a novice idea.

I intend to solicit for a local or international donor to help with the funding problem. This task will be challenging on the start.

The first initiative I intend to do with the home is to help with the paintwork and repair of the porous fences. I intend to organize with friends and relatives to take part in the initiative over the coming weekends. This will give the children a more decent place that they can call home.

I believe that by doing the aforementioned, we shall not just make the wonderful children and the owner happy, but will have given hope to an entire society. It doesn’t matter how small we shall start; the idea is to do something to alleviate the plight of these children.