One in, one out

Ok world! Here goes the last week. First of all, Sir Simoni has made a spectacular recovery, thankfully, and seems to be none the worse for wear since his hospital detention - indeed, he  is thrilled to get to help with the chickens all week, even though he kind of misses having all the attention to himself. However, hands down my favorite part of his return was watching the school kids - up to twice his age - running ecstatically inside upon hearing that he had returned, thrilled to bits to see him after a few days with him being away. They may not have much else, but there is a LOT of love in that orphanage. 

Also currently a lot of newly donated toys, which the kids have already set to tearing apart with their characteristic enthusiasm. In the meantime, it provides some excellent photo opportunities.

Farajah and her daughter Farajah, Underwater-pilot-bear Dianess, and Simoni scratching his head

"If I SAY it's a hat, it's a HAT. Silly mzungu." -Zawa

In other positive news, Joyce has officially gone home with her new family! Although this is hard for Emily to take, since she is hopelessly and utterly in love with Joyce, we are all truly happy for the new family. Now we keep our fingers crossed that Grace will be joining them soon as big sister!

Her first surrogate mama, Emily

The new nuclear family

Mama and slightly concerned looking baby

Everything else is going well - one chick has either struck out on its own or become dog food, it is hard to tell at this point which - we will keep his perch warm for a few more days, at least. My parents' planning is going fabulously well, and we have been blessed with so many generous contributors, both directly and through the wish list. Thank you, thank you, thank you all.

I've been struggling emotionally a little lately, mostly having read too much African recent history and corruption exposes - and facing up to the corruption that is, despite everything, part of the system even here. I know I am judging through my Western, taking-infrastructure-and-accountability-for-granted lens, but it hurts that so much that COULD be helping the most vulnerable instead ends up padding the pockets of mid- to high-level administrators who, out of everyone, need it the least. Look, no one here is making a comparable wage to the US - but it frustrates me that so much corruption is among the people who are doing comparatively well, who could afford to be honest, but choose not to. Of course, maybe it's just that they are the only ones with the opportunity. 

Despite that, there are a lot of people doing a lot of really good work, and I don't want to sound like I'm dismissing that at all. I'm just tired, and already missing the kids, and spiraling a little into self doubt, which is NOT the most effective way to spend my last month here. So it's going to stop. Now.

And that's all I have to say about that for today. Focus on the baby love, and the incredible work of the mamas, and all the people who have donated. Thank you for allowing me to believe in human decency.