Here we are loading desks that were made for the orphanage. They were made here in a little woodworking shop for $14 each. This shop is on the outskirts of a huge slum. |
The desks are pretty flimsy but they will give the kids a wriring surface and a seat. They are made from wood that would be similar to pallets. |
Above the woodwork shop lives a little family. They all gathered to watch us loading the desks. |
This is the actual yard where the desks were made. |
This is a good shot of some of the desks. |
Not exactly a Home Depot, but it'll do. |
This is inside the woodwork shop. |
Elder Olsen and Elder Holmes with some students from the orphanage. |
We are now at the orphanage school. There have been many improvements made in the last six months: A new tin roof, cement floor and a separate room for the teachers. Now they will have desks! |
Here is Sister Hall encouraging some of the children into the school. |
There are three teachers and about 75 children at the school. The oldest student is about 16 and the youngest child is about 1 1/2 years of age. Wouldn't it be fun to have 75 brothers and sisters? |
We all went inside the school and the children sang and danced for us. |
I haven't danced for years but it was hard to resist. |
This is a good view of the outside of the school and two little darlings. |
Here are the desks waiting to be stained and varnished. The older children really enjoyed working on them. |
This is the walk way between the school on the left and the classrooms on the right. |
Here are some of the students outside the school, playing in the yard. |
The kids love to get their pictures taken. This little girl was being silly and you should have seen her face when I showed her this picture. |
We didn't see one argument the whole time we were thre. |
Stephen has provided schooling, food and a home for kids for ten years. He came from an African tribe that is famous for wood carving and that is how he makes a living |
This young man is a budding drummer. He uses a stick and a plastic container and he was very good. |
The kids never lack for attention. The older children take care of the younger ones. |
Everywhere Grandpa Olsen went, these little guys were right by him -- holding his hand. |
The chidlren played some fun games where they stood in a circle and sang songs and did actions. The older children had them all organized and took charge. |
Everyone was busy playing or working. |
We saw only one toy -- a little boy had a plastic car. These children were playing with that piece of cloth. |
There are no flushing toilets anywhere in the miles of this slum, but there are telephone towers. |
This is the entrance to the dormitory where the children eat and sleep. |
This is the kitchen where one meal a day is prepared and it is always rice and beans. They cook over fire or charcoal in huge pots. |
This is a picture of their "living room". This is where they eat and play. |
This is the dining room table/sofa. |
Yum! Rice and beans. |
One big happy family! |
Sister Holmes attracted a huge group of hair dressers. They were fascinated with her strawberry blonde hair and proceeded to braid it. She was a very good sport and looked beautiful in the end. |
It was hard to say goodbye to our new friends that day but we will be back. |