Interpret THIS

The last week or so has been really rough, because the kids keep up popping up in my dreams EVERY. NIGHT. Sometimes in weird places, too - in last night's dream I was joining a gym in my hometown and Pray was wreaking havoc in the changing room, which is accurate behaviorally if not geographically.

Pray in his natural state - filthy! And never happier. 

The night before Z kept wandering through different rooms and I was trying to chase her down, and then I was told she'd been moved to another orphanage and I couldn't find her, which was heartbreaking. The night before THAT I was chasing chickens around in my sleep while the kids played all around. Crazy! Still, it's really rough spending your days trying to work hard enough to forget how much you miss them, then to have the little scraps sneak attack you in your dreams. Although, again, I suppose that's fairly accurate too - they sneak into your heart and don't let go. And at least this way I get to see their faces, even if I'm not actually awake for it!

Walk it off, babies, walk it off

According to reports on the ground from the lovely and talented Emily Butler, Miss Zawadi is officially WALKING! The video below is from when I left, and apparently now she's going with no help at all. Just to remind you how far we've come... From wriggle worm to spiderbaby, to walking with help, to overcoming those rickets and walking it off!

Look at her go!

Meanwhile, Simoni, who has even more severe rickets, couldn't walk at all when I arrived, and dragged his legs when crawling. Since then, look how far he's come! Apparently, since I left, he's been up and down stairs with no help, even trying to jump, which is a HUGE accomplishment. (Please excuse my screeching in these videos, it had been way too long since I'd been around adults.)

Still struggling a few months into the trip...

...And happily herding his imaginary cows a few months later

It just goes to show how far the kids can come with the dedication of the volunteers and staff - besides getting them medical care, we were working with both kids every day to push them to exercise the legs, to go a little farther each day. The truth is, without effectively utilized volunteers (which is why we need a manager) or more staff (which is why we need to pay a living wage), there simply isn't time for the mamas to give this kind of one on one attention to the children. So hooray for volunteers and fundraising!

Welcome to "The Small Things"

So here it is! The first step in the full transition from personal blog to website for our (pending!) nonprofit, The Small Things, based on Mother Theresa's quote, "We ourselves know that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. We can do no great things, only small things with great love." I cannot think of a better description of the Nkoaranga kids than "small things with great love," tiny little bodies bursting with huge personalities and overflowing with love.

Please check out all of the other pages for more information on the projects we're working on and to meet the kids. Hopefully those of you who have been faithful readers of the blog have fallen in love with these kids already, and will keep working us in our new incarnation through The Small Things! 

Board members?

So part of the process of incorporating this nonprofit involves setting up a board of directors. I certainly have some ideas about people I'd love to serve, but let me put it out here - is there anyone who would like to volunteer? Please get in touch - bekka@thesmallthings.org - if you're interested in finding out more. Thanks!

The truth

I have been procrastinating terribly about writing here - and there is a LOT to say - but the truth is that I'm struggling pretty badly with being away from the kids, especially Z and Simoni. I think I was doing a lot better the first week, and it has started to really sink in how long it is going to be before I see them again - and how big they will get, without me. I've been working at the doctor's office, and every time I see a kid Z's size, my heart starts crumbling and I have to not start crying in the middle of work. I have no idea how I'm going to go to school like this.

I'm trying. One day at a time for now. Lots more stories and info on what's coming next, the nonprofit, and everything else, coming soon.