Our First Afternoon at the Public Orphanage in Sophia

After a morning in the garden climbing trees and talking with our friends at the Palms, we went out to Sophia to visit the public orphanage. It was definitely a little different than the other orphanages we've visited so far. For starters, it only receives funding from the government, and not from private donors. As a result, the facilities were a little more run down with more kids packed into a smaller space than the other places we've been. We were also informed upon arrival that, unfortunately, we were not allowed to take ANY photographs. 

However, the kids were still just as playful as the Bosco boys or the young ladies from Mahaica. Before we even got out of the van, they were at the windows with calls of "Sir, sir!" and "Miss, miss!" The children (both boys and girls) ranged from ages 2-17. After high fives and fist bumps were exchanged, we split up to divide and conquer; some of us went upstairs to get our hair braided while others went outside to learn how to play cricket. Dylan and Max headed up a game of basketball while John and Andrew engaged in a game involving a circle of children, a soccer ball, and bursts of playful jeers. 

When it was time to go, we had to ward off a few rascals that tried to stow away in our van. After a hot, sticky, and stinky ride back to Barrack Street with Chubby, we got ourselves cleaned up because we've got dinner guests tonight! 

Monica, Catie, and Juan are here in Guyana with the Mercy Volunteer Corps. We keep talking about how it seems as if our six days in Guyana have felt more like six weeks, but Monica, Catie, and Juan have been here for ten months!! They've been working at Mercy Hospital and at Bosco doing social work and teaching.

Now that I've spent a substantial amount of time sitting in a corner, typing away on the iPad, I think I ought to go be a better host and enjoy the wonderful meal Anthony has prepared. Until next time, remember to shake the bug spray and apply liberally!

-Sam