Today I dropped Kathryn off at Akanyijuka and then headed home for a bit of time off, before Phil and I headed out for a walk around town. We had lunch at a local joint where I started to read a book they had there about the struggles that people were going through in the Congo, rather about their rising up in the midst of their struggles. It made me even more interested in going to see the refugees that had come across the border. There was one fact that stood out to me, in the capital city, apparently the second largest french speaking city outside of Paris, 50% of the population have only one meal a day, while another 25% only have one meal every two days. It also said that as early as the 1920’s mothers were documented as teaching their children to carry on in life in a state of hunger. This is hard to think as being possible, I know that when I have even skipped lunch that I am struggling to stay focused, especially if I had to live a physical life, like many Africans do. Unfortunately Quinton read in the paper, though, that the refugees have just been sent back to the DRC, so we will not be able to go and see for ourselves.
After lunch we went and visited Hope Africa, the other project the Wards are involved in, for a look at a new building that someone had sent funds to build. It was good to see one of the young boys that we had previously met come running up to greet us, but unfortunately for the children there, the building is not going to be adequate to house them, though it is better having the extra two small rooms then not. After this we headed to Akanyijuka to take the children to the local park to run around. Today Maureen was starting to feel comfortable with me and was running around with us, this only leaves Blessed her sister who is not yet comfortable with us. I think it is just a bit bewildering for her. We took some photos of the children with some Nike soccer and basket balls that one of Erica and Quinton’s relatives had sent over, as they work for Nike. I think they have posted a few photos on their blog if you want to see them.
