Thursday, January 12, 2012

Last Visit to the Orphanage

Hi everyone!
So we are now back to Sweden from our eventful trip in Sudan. Here is what happened the last days:

On Saturday, I headed out to the Souq al Sha'bi (a bazaar in Khartoum) together with Fatima Suliman and Fatma Omar, to get the last things for the boys, which were shoes, socks and underwear. We were informed by the manager at the orphanage that the boys were out on a day trip and would not be back until later that evening. Therefore we paid our last visit the next day, which was our last before leaving for Sweden.

We delivered the last things, and handed out envelopes with a bonus salary to the the caretakers (the moms) of Dar al Fityan. As some of you may know since earlier, this is a donation that was placed by the Khadija Project that wanted to shed light on the effort of these extraordinary women who daily take care of the boys, while on a low pay check and a family to feed.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the boys, and teaching them Swedish songs. Their absolute favorite was Små Grodorna, which they probably made us sing about ten times, each time breaking down laughing and joining in on the moves.

In the end, it was time for the dreaded moment of saying goodbye. We went around to every child, hugging them, telling them to take care, and promising to be back soon. It was heart wrenching to leave as the young ones kept begging to go back with us to Sweden, asking if there wasn't an orphanage for them to live in back in Sweden just like this one.
All choked up, we left longing for the next time we would see our angels again <3

Like all other trips to the orphanage, this has been an equally strengthening and eye opening experience. All of us have probably often felt that we are incapable of solving all the miseries of the world. But seeing the smiles on the boys' faces every time we come visit, engaging in conversations with them, and feeling that our effort and presence there really matters, that is what makes us certain that any small contribution counts.

Thank you all for making this journey possible, and may 2012 take us to new heights and successes.

With love,
Mae Suliman, the I Care Board.

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