Thursday May 19, 2011 - Dinner with L

Went to the green door home (Boona Baana) again today and helped on of the kids with his math homework. He had so much homework to do and needed a lot of help, I tried my best but my math skills are not the greatest. I helped him until we had to leave and then asked one of the older kids to keep helping him so he would get it done, but the following day I found out he didn't get his homework done so it made me kinda sad because he is really struggling. That night we invited the oldest kid (I'll call him L for short) over for dinner at our house and I think he really enjoyed himself. We also watched a couple short videos about aid coming to Africa with two different speakers with different perspectives on the issue. One of the speakers was against aid and thought that it does more harm than good because the government is so corropt that the money doesn't go where it is meant to go and the other speaker was for aid stating that without aid Africa wouldn't be where it is now. I agree a bit with both perspectives because I know that the government is definitely corrupt but also that some aid is beneficial. L is a brilliant kid and has very good insight into many issues regarding Africa and aid from Western countries. He was leaning more towards the speaker who disagreed with aid and believed it was more harmful than good. All the kids at the green door home inspire me and we are getting to know them more and more as time goes on. L for example has had a very hard life and by just meeting him you'd never know it because he is so cheerful, well mannered, intelligent, and kind. He became an orphan when his parents and little sister all died of AIDS. He has goals and a direction for his future and does really well in school. He wants to go to college and hopefully become a director. Him and one other boy from the green door home have reliable sponsors who pay for their schooling, which is very exciting. On the other hand, the rest of the kids don't and the other girls and I that are volunteering there want so badly to help them with their schooling costs as we believe that this is the best way to help in a big way in a short amount of time. Were determined to find enough financial help to get them all sponsored, so we are going to create a book that has each child's personal information in it as well as their career goals and insirations. With this we are going to try and spread the word about them and how amazing they are, as well as do some fundraising by making a calendar, etc. L said that this is a good way to help and probably their number one need. In addition to school funding, they also need money for their rent and supplies, but we are going to first focus on the schooling. L also mentioned counselling would help a lot, if not all of them which interested me because that is the direction I am heading and would love to work with kids like those at the green door home because they are so inspirational.