The
Tanzanian Presidential elections are drawing near. Flags have been flying from
cars, travelling around town takes twice as long due to the frequent political
rallies, megaphones are everyone’s new favourite method of communication and
over 100 new children with albinism have been dropped off in Buhangija.
An
interesting development in the election build up this year has been the passing
of new legislation restricting criticism of the current government. A desire
not have a run in with the Tanzanian authorities has made us cautious to point
out what the perceived link between these elections and the increase in
abandoned children in Buhangija might be. International press have not had to
be so cautious. The Washington Post wrote this article about the current crisis.
The recent surge in numbers in Buhangija has created quite a few challenges. Children arrived quickly over the space of a few weeks with some days bringing 7 or 8 new faces. Stretched bed supply became even more stretched, thin porridge even thinner and in the middle of this chaos were 25 new children under the age of three toddling around completely bewildered. Too small to fend for themselves they went unwashed and sometimes unfed – missing out on food behind the experienced elbows of more savvy children. Abandoned and ignored in a place for the already vulnerable.
Thanks to
donations and generous support, a new room has been renovated to make a safe
and happy space for these 25 children during the day. Here they have their own
toys to play with. They get morning porridge, a snack and lunch. Hands are
washed, medicine given, stories read, the most beautiful scribbles drawn. A
huge thank you must be given at this stage to Sarah, a friend of ours who lives
in our town who works tirelessly in this room training two of the older girls
in Buhangija to care for these small ones. Genni and Anna are understandably
reluctant at times to sit on the floor and make endless block towers, but we’re
getting there. Every day is a challenge as we try to encourage and equip these
(sometimes stroppy!) teenagers to care for the smallest ones in their care. For some more photos, click here.
Swahili word of the day: Mtoto Vizuri (good child)
An
interesting development in the election build up this year has been the passing
of new legislation restricting criticism of the current government. A desire
not have a run in with the Tanzanian authorities has made us cautious to point
out what the perceived link between these elections and the increase in
abandoned children in Buhangija might be. International press have not had to
be so cautious. The Washington Post wrote this article about the current crisis.The recent surge in numbers in Buhangija has created quite a few challenges. Children arrived quickly over the space of a few weeks with some days bringing 7 or 8 new faces. Stretched bed supply became even more stretched, thin porridge even thinner and in the middle of this chaos were 25 new children under the age of three toddling around completely bewildered. Too small to fend for themselves they went unwashed and sometimes unfed – missing out on food behind the experienced elbows of more savvy children. Abandoned and ignored in a place for the already vulnerable.
Thanks to
donations and generous support, a new room has been renovated to make a safe
and happy space for these 25 children during the day. Here they have their own
toys to play with. They get morning porridge, a snack and lunch. Hands are
washed, medicine given, stories read, the most beautiful scribbles drawn. A
huge thank you must be given at this stage to Sarah, a friend of ours who lives
in our town who works tirelessly in this room training two of the older girls
in Buhangija to care for these small ones. Genni and Anna are understandably
reluctant at times to sit on the floor and make endless block towers, but we’re
getting there. Every day is a challenge as we try to encourage and equip these
(sometimes stroppy!) teenagers to care for the smallest ones in their care. For some more photos, click here.Swahili word of the day: Mtoto Vizuri (good child)
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