today is friday, our day to visit naguru remand home for children ages 10 to 18...children awaiting trial for crimes they supposedly have commited. we think some of the children are younger than 10 and we think perhaps the circumstances created by extreme poverty were, at least partially responsible for crimes such as theft.....for who can fault a homless or orphaned child for stealing something to eat? we know that children are only supposed to be there for 3 months, but we also know that they can be there for a year. we always bring food, because these children are hungry all the time. they eat posho and beans....that's it! today we brought bread and milk and sugar to put in their posho porridge and mangos.....and as a special treat for the girls, bright colors of nail polish. they had also asked for slippers, but we just didn't have enough money!
andrew talked to the children in luganda...about always speaking positively about themselves, about striving for a better life and about never doing anything that might bring them back to naguru. one of the staff suggested that we initiate a program to help the children re-enter society.....we both thought YEAH, great idea....the two of us will just do that on our own while the ugandan government does nothing! she suggested we do that instead of bringing mangos! i gave her 'my look'! perhaps when pigs fly......andrew gave a boy, about to be released, 30,000 ugx to return to his village...andrew has a gentle soul and the kids love him....we decided we would try to put together a first aid kit with some basic medicines, but again wondered why a children's institution was not supplied one by the government. we actually know the answer to this question, maybe y'all can guess!the kids were really happy with the mangos....fresh fruit is such a luxury...it might not change their lives, but it sure makes them happy for a few minutes. one boy stood up and said how great it was to know that people actually cared about them. yes, we do care.....more than he knows. i don't know what we will take next week....the girls asked for 'knickers'....will do!!!
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