GVI volunteers experience Tumaini Children's Home

We were told that Tumaini Orphanage was a special place: 34 children, 24 of whom are HIV positive. The centre, run on donations, offers family support and education for children between 3 months to 12 years. GVI had made contact with the founder of the orphanage and had arranged with the manager, Elizabeth, to send volunteers to help with the behind the scenes running of the centre. So, Morven, Elly and I arrived at Tumaini (which means Hope) as GVI guinea pigs: we were the first volunteers to cross Tumaini’s threshold and no-one knew what to expect. No need to worry…within 10 steps of walking along the long, cool, calm corridor, I was grabbed by a small girl named Hope. She refused to let go for the next 15 minutes and just simply craved warmth and affection.

Hope enjoys some attention from GVI volunteer Morven

We quickly met the other kindergarten children and accompanied them to morning school. Here we played and read with 7 children for about one hour. We were then handed a brush, mop and cloth and told by a very orderly girl we had to clean the classroom. Windows, floors and cupboards were all seen to, the thoroughness of which by the children took spring cleaning to a whole new dimension! Us adults got bored and started gossiping instead…

Shirley and GVI intern Elly hard at work

On with the grafting. Morven ironed a mountain of school uniforms whilst Elly and I folded and rearranged the clothes cupboard. Not long after this the corridors filled with noise once more as the children returned from school for lunch. We quickly exchanged our iron for spoons and helped to feed James, Hope and Steven from kindergarten. We also helped babysit Salma, a 6 month old baby.

Shirley takes some time out with one of Tumaini's young residents

After we helped wash and tidy the dishes, it was time to say goodbye to Ann, Esther, Dorothy, Beatrice, Josephine and Elizabeth, the orphanage’s “mothers” and dedicated volunteers. The day spent at Tumaini was tremendous. Not only could we relieve the mothers for a well earned rest but it was a joy to see such sick kids happy, content and loved.

- Shirley Paterson

GVI volunteers experience Tumaini Children's Home