An Orphanage in Dodoma

Yesterday we went to an orphanage which is part of the Kisedet Project.

A window in the school a the Kisedet Project


The children at Kisedet Project, and 10 IBMers
(I'm near the top on the rock)

There were 33 kids ranging in ages 3 to 17 years old. Most of the kids have no parents because of HIV/AIDS and Malaria - both preventable diseases. I don't have any recent statistics, but as of 2003 3,000 kids die each day in Africa from Malaria, something that could be greatly reduced with mosquito nets installed over the beds of children while sleeping. These nets cost about $4 US dollars, but getting them to these kids has been very challenging.

A classroom in the school at the Kisedet Project

Some of these kids I've met in Africa seem to have no hope. Thankfully the kids at the orphanage do. It was obvious that these kids have a brighter future than the kids in Makulu village. They gave our team of 10 IBMers a 1.5 hour long show including mostly acrobatics (tumbling, cartwheels, back handsprings, etc). It was very impressive. They seem to be happy in the orphanage, which makes me think about the kids in Makulu Village. You'd think kids with their family would have a better chance, but from what I can tell the kids in the orphanage are better off. The people running the orphanage know it can be better and have inspired the children to believe so as well.