Maria contacted one of our friends who lives in another area of the country in order to wish him Happy Birthday. He replied by saying that he wanted to donate a large amount of goods for the benefit of several orphanages and centers in our city, where he used to work.
Because of his generous help, our team organized the distribution of 200 kg each of rice, beans, cassava, and flour, 160 liters of oil, along with boxes of milk powder, cereal, custard, noodles, tomato paste, salt, and other equipment and hygienic supplies to a local senior citizens home and four different orphanages.
Several of the children at one of the orphanages we visited were so excited that they wanted to help us unload our bus. They helped carry whatever they could. One little toddler was so happy to see her favorite type of instant noodles that she tried to put the package in her mouth. They assured her that she could have the noodles for dinner. After hearing that comment, she and the other children started smiling really big in anticipation!
At a center for physically challenged children, we were able to bring 30 crutches, five new wheelchairs, a large first aid kit, and other medical supplies. After seeing all the gifts, one of the staff commented that it felt like Christmas. Some of the young teenage boys started shouting with excitement when they saw we had brought them new hair clippers. (The sister in charge told us that their old clipper did not work very well, and in fact, had stopped working altogether halfway through one boy’s haircut. The boys were glad that that experience would now be a thing of the past.)
To get to one of the orphanages, which is located on the outskirts of the city, we had to pass through a severely crowded intersection. This particular day, the junction was surprisingly free of traffic, so we passed through without any difficulty. Further down the road, however, we found out why. The road had a deep ditch all the way across the road that was filled with water. No cars were passing and there was no alternate route of any kind.
Some teenage boys motioned to us that there was a way to pass through. They went into the muddy water halfway up their thighs to find the shallowest route. We literally took the plunge with our fully loaded van and followed them. Thankfully, we came out fine on the other side and the boys were happy to receive a generous tip!
Once at the orphanage, we unloaded all the sacks and boxes of food, along with a five-burner cooking stove and a large washing machine, which they desperately needed with so many children to take care of.
Later on, we brought supplies for a home which houses, feeds, and educates street children and teenagers. The staff members at the home also cook for many other children who live on the streets throughout the city. Three times a week, they visit different locations where most of the street kids and youth accumulate, either begging at the traffic lights or washing car windshields. The cooks provide a hot meal for the kids, which for many is the only meal they have that day!