30 September 2010
Arriving at Watoto's Suubi and Bbira Children's Villages this afternoon, 28 children, originally from a government run centre, have finally found their 'forever home' at Watoto.
Welcomed by their mothers and new brothers and sisters, their two week long orientation at Watoto’s Buloba Village came to an end today when their moms collected them and took them to their new home. During the children’s stay at Buloba, their orientation with Watoto staff included an in-depth look at what their new lives would look like, what would be provided for them and what would be expected of them. To help ease the transitional period of moving from Buloba, the children’s mothers paid regular visits and spent quality time with each child.
The 30-minute drive taken today from Buloba to Bbira and Suubi was a mixture of anticipation and nerves as the children anxiously awaited the sight of their new village. When they arrived at Suubi Children's Village, the children’s faces were practically glued to the glass windows as they drove past children happily playing, mothers cooking dinner, boys playing soccer and girls chatting under a tree.
Once the bus finally pulled to a stop, the children piled out took their bags and followed their mother to Cluster 3. Each child was given a new backpack, fresh clothes, shoes and a special blanket. Each mother then took her new children to their particular home and showed them to their room, gave them a place to put their things and helped them to prepare their bed.
Walking around Cluster 3, one little boy was absolutely thrilled with a soft toy airplane that was given to him and was showing it to anyone and everyone that would look. Others were eager to set up their bedrooms with their special blanket and new mattress, whilst some were trying to just take in the fact that the new shoes and clothes they were wearing, were theirs for keeps.
Today was a very special day for these 28 children and one they will, no doubt, remember for the rest of their lives. It’s important to remember that the children who are part of this intake have come from a background of extreme poverty, abuse or abandonment. Even though this is an exciting time of change and progress it is also a delicate time where the children are learning to trust and feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Please do keep these precious children in your prayers as they continue to make this big adjustment.
