Motherless Babies Home...

Well, today we were going to work and play. First we planned on going by the Red Cross Motherless Babies Home to see what we could do there in April and then we were going to go to the lake with Richee and his friend Sylvester. It's about 45 minutes away from where Mary Ann lives and she really wanted to share this place with me. So we had the guys meet us at 10:00 a.m. to head out...and as we got in the car, Mare warned them them that the car isn't working well(see last nights info about that) - and that if it gave us too much trouble heading to the orphanage then we wouldn't go to the lake.

We made it to the Motherless Babies home and got out and were completely not sure where to go. Right away I knew that my group could just spend time cleaning up the grounds or removing trash or ANYTHING and it could be helpful. This is a non-profit organization and it completely depends on volunteers...we finally made our way to C who was willing to talk to us about the children at the home. And once she figured out that we were connected to Fyne...then she was very helpful!

Have to end here...but will continue in the morning.

Okay, the generator ran out of fuel last night so we had to shut everything down...

Basically, the Red Cross Motherless Children's home has huge needs and the absolute heartbreaking thing is that it will take so little from some of us to help fill some of their needs. Like they say on every commercial for places like this - only $20 or $30 a month can feed and care for a child! It's crazy true.

I have a few things that this orphanage can use that I want us to try to take care of...I will list them in separate post.

After C gave us a tour of the whole facility we played with the babies but not for very long and then we went to buy them peanuts and biscuits(crackers) across the street.

We never went to the lake - the car is not in good shape so we decided not to risk it if we didn't have to and we are still going to have to use the car to get me to the airport.

Mare and I got some more shawarma's at Crunchies and spent the afternoon entertaining some of her male admirers. They stop by quite often. It's actually pretty rediculous...some of them do just want to be friends but so many would love to marry an american woman! They really do believe that America has all the answers...they have bought everything that Hollywood is selling. What was pretty amazing is that two of the guys(the ones that went to the orphanage with us) - actually listened to us when we explained that hollywood is not how most of America really is. Mare has told that to soooo many people already but most don't believe her. So I think it is helpful to have two of us here - to give different examples. I told them how I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and they just couldn't understand why someone would do that...but it made them realize that we don't all sit around with food at our feet all the time. It was a fascinating conversation...

In the evening, we ate fried yams and plantains - split the last of the smores that I brought(just the marshmellow, chocolate and graham cracker - not over a fire)...and watched another movie together before the power and generator went out.

Ihiala and back to Owerri!

Woke up this morning so thankful I finally made it through the night. I wasn't sure I was going to because of the heat. But when I woke up, I also felt better so maybe I got rid of my sickness by sweating!!!

We had a leisurely breakfast with the family and the worked out how were going to get to Ihiala and then home to Owerri. Victory originally thought we would come back to Onitsha before we went back to Owerri but it would save us time if we were able to go straight back...so we found someone who could drive the hour to come and pick us up! Yea Calvin! Also, in the Nigerian culture it is a tradition to say good bye and thank you to the man of the house and he had already left for the morning so she sent someone to go get him so that we could say good bye.
We piled into the ministry van to head to Ihiala but first she wanted Mary Ann (and me by the way) to get measured by her seamstress so Mare can get more clothes made for a cheaper price. Then we were on our way.
When we got to Ihiala there weren't very many people around. There are lots of people on the main street where the shops are but once you turn off the main road it is quiet and very beautiful. We stopped at Victory's grandma's house to see the site of the future borehole and explore the area. Her grandma doesn't speak English so much of the time Mare and I just sat while Victory and her grandma spent some time together. Mare showed me part of the walk to the current water source and we saw some of the other houses and people who will benefit from the new borehole. It is so humbling to realize that many, many people in this entire area have to walk some distance to get water for their daily life needs. And here in Ihiala it's miles to get water. If we are able to bring them the first borehole then half of this community will only have to walk a quarter of a mile for water - but the other half will still have to walk a longer distance. And I just turn my water on. And off. And on. As I need/want. Victory's grandma seems to live off the land - plantains, oranges, yams and other things grow all around her. She brought us some oranges to eat and they were incredible. Their oranges fresh off the tree can't be beat!
Calvin picked us up to drive back to Owerri. I continue to be fascinated by the amount of people that will line up on the road to sell their goods(oranges, bananas, handkerchiefs and more) to people in cars. And how crazy the driving is. We did get pulled over at one of the check points but they let us go without much trouble - just made him show his drivers license and open the trunk.
Then back to Owerri AND it started raining which means the weather is soooooooo much cooler. I was so flippin excited! Mare got us some drinks, Maltinas, which is something that everyone drinks around here. It's a malted beverage...Then her friend Richee came over and the three of us discussed business opportunities, the advantage of being an American, the difference between the faith of Africans and Americans and why it's harder for Richee to see things our way. It was a great conversation...but again it's interesting because here - they tell you what to think.
To be continued...