Man, where do I even start? Today was my first day at the orphanage, and it was a great day. It started out with my sitting with Solange, the orphanage mum, and asking her how I can help at the orphanage. The first item mentioned was the need for me to finish a proposal that Vanessa had started, but not quite finished prior to her leaving Saturday. No prob.
The most important thing Solange asked me for was my help in tracking down the architect who had promised a floor plan last summer for the new orphanage. The architect had visited the orphanage from a local NGO and had offered to design the new orphanage. The architect returned to the states, but has failed to follow through on a design and has not responded to e-mails from Solange. It was then that I find out that the supposed "architect" was a college student-ack!
The orphanage has managed to acquire land for the new orphanage (donation), but they can't do anything without a floor plan. Until I can get a floor plan, I cannot get bids. I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't even bother trying to contact the student since they are inexperienced and still in school. My bet is that I won't be able to locate her anyway with the strange e-mail address I was given for her. If any one of you happens to know of a friend or family member who is an architect who would be willing to donate time to this project, please have them e-mail me at superswade@gmail.com. The orphanage does not have the money to pay an architect here to do a plan, so I hope that one of my friends or family members will be able to help. I have the building dimentions and specifics that Solange wants for the new building to get a move on this project.
The orphanage is currently renting the building/property that they are on, and unlike the U.S., the landlord does not fix the problems on their own rental property. I mean, seriously, why should a tenant have to pay to fix or upgrade property that isn't even theirs!? Solange wants to halve the outdoor shed, currently used for cooking, and turn one side into eating quarters and the other side a study area for the kids. I recommended that she not do a single thing, unless absolutely necessary, to save money and time. I'd rather her energy be focused on the new orphanage rather than upgrading what isn't hers, especially with the current living conditions as bad as they are:
- There are 16 kids, 6 girls and 10 boys, to one bathroom that is about 3' x 5'.
- There is no shower or bathtub, and the water fixture is constantly leaking to where a huge barrel has been placed under it to catch the water.
- The water from the barrel is what the kids use to wash/rinse themselves daily; remember, no shower or tub.
- The water is a brownish/yellowish color; and yes, this is the same tap water that the kids drink.
- The kids get sick often and have stomach issues because of the unsafe drinking water.
- The toilet has no seat and has a hole in it the size of a tennis ball. The water level is purposely kept low in it, so as water does not leak out of it.
- There are 10 beds for 16 kids. 3 little girls sleep width-wise in one bed. What happens when they grow?
- The air from the floor fans does not circulate to the top bunks, so if it's too hot, then the kids will sleep on the bare floor instead.
- The mattresses here are not like American mattresses. They are made of cheap foam and are so old that they are all flat, crumbling and are disgustingly dirty.
- When the TV is on, it constantly flips the screen, so the kids can't watch anything at all.
- The front windows need new screening, so as to keep the mosquitoes and bugs out.
- The computer is old as dirt and needs to be upgraded badly.
- The oldest child, Grace, will graduate high school this year and has no options to apply her art talent to a graphic design degree because it cannot be afforded. There are no trade schools or community colleges here, and private schools and public universities are very expensive.
- And most importantly, there is no guarantee from day to day that the children will have food to eat.
It is most unfortunate that the businesses here will not donate items or money because basically it is not in their best interest or of any benefit to them. It is not in my nature not to try and get donations, so I will be working on donation letters and hope to set up some meetings with the company "big whigs" here from American companies to see if I can get donations. I am also going to try and see if I can get the orphanage on a donation program from a supermarket for expired items (that are still good, of course).
The children do not have or hardly have any toys, games, puzzles or books to occupy their free time. As you all know, these items can be cheaply purchased at Goodwill stores, yard sales, dollar stores, etc. I think it would be awesome to get several churches and maybe their youth groups involved with collecting items for the orphanage. I will be soon asking for monetary donations from friends and family members, along with a request for items that are needed at the orphanage.
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