Chaps and Chichara plot

Today was our first day for vbs and sports camp with the children who attend school at the village. (CHAPS - Cornelius Hope Academy Primary School) Many of the children from the community (plots) attend school here through sponsorship (Child Care Plus), while others pay for their education at the village. So.. we saw many of the children who had attended the previous couple of days.

Today was my day to attend the community feeding program. I went with Carrie (pre-school teacher) to Chichara plot. It was a little quiet today at Chichara due to the death of the boy a couple of days ago. The plots are located on farm land where most of the men and women work for the farmer. The program provides the children with breakfast (maze porridge everyday and beans 3 times/week). In many cases, this will be their only meal of the day. While the mother(s) prepare breakfast, Carrie teaches a pre-school lesson. The lessons consist of songs, games, a story, and counting/ABC's. The children range in age from 1-6 or so. These families can not afford to send their children to school. Unless they receive CCP sponsorship, they will not be receiving a formal education. The living conditions are quite horrendous. The huts (made of mud & thatch) with dirt floors are very small. Generally they have a separate cooking area but the living area is where they store limited household items, clothes, etc. and sleep. Farm animals were walking around freely. They were not in a fenced area. You see older children and men & women hanging around with nothing to do and nowhere to go. VERY SAD! What is their purpose... what do they live for? The feeding program is such a blessing to the plots. God has continued to provide food and resources for these families. The children are very excited to see the teacher and are so enthusiastic to learn!

VBS and sports camp were more manageable today as we had fewer children. There are approx. 125 children who attend Chaps. The sports camp was only for grades 4-6. We had a few teachers helping us out with soccer, volleyball and net ball. Net ball is like basketball but has no backboards and you can't move with the ball; essentially a passing game. It is very popular with the girls. Today I met a young boy (about 10), Motion. He is a phenomenal soccer player and absolutely loves to run. He worked so hard with every play. He reminded me of me when I was his age.; loved the game of soccer and would run and work hard. After camp I stayed for awhile and played some more with Motion. He loved the one-on-one time.

HIGHLIGHTS:
*visiting the plots and spending time with the children
*playing soccer with Motion


Pics below are of Motion & the plots (feeding program, women doing laundry and housing)