By Sarah Woodrow, MD
Cooper Neurological Institute
This is part nine in a series of updates from Dr. Woodrow’s mission to Ethiopia. View additional posts from her on the Inside Cooper blog by clicking here to view all posts tagged “Ethiopia.”
Today’s entry is about hope – hope and the Ethiopian spirit. Looking back on my entries for the past week the frustration in them is clear. And I think it is accurate. But, no doubt, it may have caused some of you to wonder why I come over here at all? The answer is easy – it is the people. The people, their hope and their spirit.
Nothing exemplifies this more than the children at an orphanage I have come to know in Lancia – another area of Addis. It is a small place – currently 19 children in all – all taken off the streets of Addis. Some are truly orphans, others are runaways. Almost all of the current children were amongst those I met over 4 years ago on my first trip to Addis. The orphanage is run by YWAM (Youth with a Mission). It is an international Christian organization. Not being a religious person, I have to admit I am not particularly interested in the organization – or their message. I keep returning because of the children.
They range in age from 6 to 18. All are in school. That is part of the deal. They get food and shelter. In return they must attend school and church. They all have ambition and goals. I am sure that was not the case when they first came here.
Girma is in grade 10. He is an avid soccer player. He wants to be an engineer. He is top of his class in school in math and sciences. He attended a soccer camp over the summer and apparently was approached by some college recruiters from the USA who were in part running the camp. He was disappointed to find out that he was too young to qualify but now has given himself the goal of going to the USA on a soccer scholarship when he is finishes high school. I have no idea how attainable that goal is but I am supporting him all the way!
Betty is 11 now. She is in grade 3, delayed by her early years spent on the street. She has decided she wants to be a doctor. Every time I show them pictures on my computer they manage to see some shots taken at work of patients and imaging studies. While many of the others squirm, she remains fascinated by them all, asking me lots of questions. She is smart. I think she will do it.
Each child has a story. Some worse than other. Each has come so far. They all look happy and health. The small size of the orphanage has allowed me to get to know the children well over the years. I usually visit 2 or 3 times a week when I am here. It gives me peace and hope after a rough day at the hospital. Sometimes we play, other times we cook, or else we just talk. On one visit the children showed me how to mill grain by hand. It is hard work.
Things have changed a bit for them since I was last here. The girls have been placed on a different compound from the boys. It is part of an effort to expand. A couple from India, Ruth and Sammy, recently arrived to live with the girls and help oversee all of the children. They have instilled a routine and a discipline that, in retrospect, was lacking previously. The children all have chores around the house now. This is new too. If they complete their chores and homework for the week they receive a meager allowance. It amounts to 10 or 20 cents a week. It is not a lot, but here it is enough to buy a piece of candy or save up for something larger. The couple has also started a garden. They are currently growing tomatoes and lettuce. It is not large, but it is a start.
Together with 3 other physicians I know from Canada, all of whom have visited the orphanage, we have started a charity called CHanGE in hopes of helping to support these and other children here. We have been doing some fundraising at home amongst family and friends over the last year. As a group, we decided to try and focus on the educational needs of the children.
One of my goals over here is to see what is most needed at the orphanage and arrange to purchase it while I am here. After speaking to Ruth and Sammy, it seems they have been saving to get a computer for the children. They have been given a number of educational programs – language programs, typing programs, etc. – and they are hopeful that the children can start using these resources to improve their skills. Along with the computer, I will be buying a desk as well as some building supplies. It turns out Sammy is quite the handyman and there are numerous projects around the site that need attending to. Holes in walls that need patching up to, drafts to close, storage cupboards so that all of the children can have their own little bit of private space, a leak in the roof, a shoe rack to keep all the shoes organized. The list goes on, but I am thrilled that I will be able to present all these purchases to the children this week before I leave.