The first week….

I think that I am spoiled…Everyone here at The Sanctuary is taking such good care of me. Alex has been great, taking me on the bike where I need to go, buying extra food for me so that I get the nutrients my mzungu body needs lol (like extra fruit, lettuce, cucumbers, etc.) The boys have been saving eggs over the last while for me, so that when I prefer eggs for a meal, they are there. The young boys never let me enter the compound after coming from town carrying anything, they always run to carry it….my meals always contain more of the veggies/meat/etc. and less of the posho. Like I said..i am spoiled. Mind you, who knows how long this will last, but for now I will enjoy it.

It has been really fun to be around the boys over the last week, and to see how they have changed, and boy have they changed! Things that I had to remind them to do over and over before I left, are now done without a thought. Small things like wiping the table after a meal, going to bed on time, actually finishing the kitchen cleaning (not leaving floors with crumbs, or counters with food still on them) they are now doing. Of course there are still things that they need reminders on, but they have really stepped up taking on their responsibilities.

Not only have they changed in how they do their chores, but they are also more mature, right down to David and Robert. What once would have for sure caused an argument will now just be a joke. The older boys have really taken on the challenge of setting a good example to the younger boys, and if the young ones are having issues, they will try to work them out with them first before bringing it all to the staff’s attention.

Don’t get me wrong, things are not perfect, but it is really exciting to see how much the boys have changed and matured over 1 year. I am very proud of them!

My days have been divided into thrids. All of the boys are gone to school from when they wake up, until about 1pm, then the younger boys come home, and around 530 the rest of the boys come home. The first part of my day is catching up on emails, working on budgets, paperwork, sorting through paperwork, etc. The second part is working with the boys get prepare lunch, and then spending time with them. Sometimes that is playing games, going for a walk, and lately it has been washing and cleaning their things in their rooms. The last part of my day is with the older boys (and younger). When they first come home it is relaxing time. Some go to play football, others do their chores, or just hang out. I usually sit on the front couch with whoever is around and chat about their days, etc. Sometimes I will go in to Bukaya with some of them to buy bread or oil or whatever we might need for the meal and next day. At 8pm everyone is expected to be home, and this is when the boys revise. I will either help them with their work, or make questions for the younger boys to keep them busy while the other boys are studying. If we’re lucky, we get supper around 9pm, and after that they either continue to revise, or do laundry (uniform cleaning for the next day..etc). And that is my day. Pretty great eh?

Evenings are also when Alex and I will meet with any of the boys how are having issues or complaints. Last night we spent an hour talking individually to 2 boys who are having a difficult time getting along. Sometimes it is a challenge to be in that role, but it is necessary, and in the end I am thankful that I get to be here…for the good times, and the not so fun times. It is all part of raising these boys to be men of Christ, and mature and responsible human beings.