Cradle of Love and Faraja

Cradle of Love

Eager to take a break from the clinic today, Anika and I decided to visit to Cradle of Love, an orphanage for babies from birth until 4 years. Before even arriving in Tanzania, I’d heard of how westernized and comparatively affluent it is to other orphanages. Still, I was taken aback when I walked through Cradle’s door at the sheer number of babies strewn across the floor. Housing about 50 bubs, Cradle has a 1:3 staff to baby ratio but the tiny charges are always searching for affection wherever they can find it. Within 30 seconds I was holding little Joshua, but I soon found out that their sweet gurgling switches to streaming tears the minute they’re returned to the floor.  

Breakfast in itself was a mission. Staff spoon-feed multiple babies, mouths opening like hungry hippos from tables and highchairs whilst toddlers devoured their porridge clumsily at our feet.

Cradle runs on a tight schedule displayed on the wall and after nappy changes, everyone headed outside to laze on mats. I was surprised at how content the kids were to lie around; it seems strange for toddlers to be still for so long. Soon other volunteers took groups to the swing set and teeny fortress in the back garden and their toothy grins said it all. I felt a little incoherence between the many volunteers and permanent staff as the live in mamas are very devoted to their schedule - I heard at one point that nappies are only changed twice a day at the designated time …

Noel

I was so intrigued to hear some of the stories behind the kids: some came from homes where both parents suffered mental illness, others had been abandoned in bushes and on hospital grounds. One sweet boy Noel with Down syndrome was left on the roadside. Other children live there temporarily waiting for their parents to collect them at the age of 4, sometimes that extra child is such a financial burden parents have no choice.

Catherine 

My favourite was Catherine, the most adorable toddler who has suspected Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and as a result is developmentally delayed. She laid her ear over my heart and her eyes lit up to the sound of beating.

I pray that these precious kids will find loving homes, but Cradle is such a wonderful start in their tough lives.

Side note: A huge shout out to my roomies at Mama Liz’s. The 8 of us all sit round the table, chatting about our daily adventures, tormenting ourselves with food cravings and harmonizing Lean on Me. Tonight we attempted a percussion ensemble which ended up with Pam serenading us with Amazing Grace whilst I mimed on the keyboard table wearing my Ray Charles glasses. Classic stuff, it’s these little details I want to imprint in my memory. 

Faraja School

Today we met the delightful 14 pupils of Little Faraja School where roomies Jess and Pam spend their days. While the centre houses orphans aged 16 +, the kids age from Ulpa age 3 to Rahema age 7. The 14 are squished at rough wooden desks within the vibrant green classroom walls plastered in numbers, colours and photos of the kids. Teacher Anna writes exercises in each individual child’s book to complete. We spent the morning practicing basic maths, counting (in English) and for the older kids simple subtraction. After much muttering and finger counting, the kids would swarm us with books waving, waiting for praise and sticker. Half the class took turns counting out loud on the chalkboard, however we quickly realised that while the kids can count, they have no number recognition. “Good better best, you are the best!” was chanted after every performance. We assisted kids in writing the numbers and corrected with red pen only until a lunch break.

While the Pam and Jess bought skipping ropes, frisbees and balls for playtime, there is no concept of structured games here. Instead the kids claim a toy and spend the time being chased for their prized possessions, an odd form of tiggy. My camera was quickly abducted – the greatest toy of all. I piggy backed, danced, and allowed a dozen tiny plaits to be knotted through my hair before all eyes were closed, a prayer was shouted and porridge was consumed. Afternoon was spent colouring and sharpening pencils. I didn’t realise the kids had to pay school fees to attend, however the aim is for the kids to be sponsored and sent to larger more structured schools. In the meantime, it gives the kids a good foundation of basic English, lunch and some concept of a schedule. 

Wednesday night I did my night shift with a volunteer from Denmark. Nothing much to report, 4 births – one flawless, one obstruction which involved copious fundal pressure and the other 2 unremarkable. 3 boys and a girl. One of my favourite aspects of night shift is the usual walk in labourer who delivers within minutes of arrival, plus the added bonus of a sneaky nap in the downtime.