KAZ’S ENTRY.....
Entering the gates of New Hope I was greeted by a tunnel of happy faces all shaking my hand saying welcome Aunty what is your name? Your jaw was numb from smiling while your eyes were leaking quietly it was a most wonderful welcome. At the end of the tunnel we were given the most beautiful lei of local flowers then ushered off to a meeting place under the biggest mango tree I have ever seen. The children sang and danced and after we introduced ourselves the tour began and from that moment on our hands were never empty there was always a little hand eagerly latched on. Our children headed off in different directions and we would wave at a distance and exchange smiles over the next few days. Elijah off with all his mates playing cricket and sitting in on all their classes and the girls were like the pied pipers giggling and laughing overcoming every language barrier and having a ball.
I met a little boy today in the clinic... He was nearly three. He doesn’t walk and he has never spoken. He was found in a dumpster at birth and taken to an ashram where he remained for some time until he got ill. After been taken to the hospital he was diagnosed with aids and was given to New Hope. Ruth, the director’s wife would tell the children stories as we would wander. Some of their horrific pasts didn’t seem to match their smiley faces. She is a mother of many a most beautiful soul...