Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs)

Last week we made our first visit to one of the orphanages in Kampala who has children from 0 through 3 years old.  We have heard about and even spoken of orphanages, but neither Rob nor I have ever actually visited one.  This particular orphanage recently started taking in babies who are HIV positive, and we know at least two of the babies are infected - another first for us.  While we are certain many of the people in the villages we have visited are HIV positive, we had no idea who, so no complete certainty of it.   As much as I hate to admit it, it was more than a little uncomfortable at first.  Despite all we now know about HIV and AIDS, holding and having our children play with babies we know are infected at first made us pause.  Thankfully, the orphanage is able to get medical attention for these children and they are able to receive the drugs that will [hopefully] prevent them from developing AIDS.

I choked up almost immediately after we walked in.  On the walls was painted Psalm 68 (above) and ‘He’s Got the Whole World’ (from the children’s song “He’s got the whole world in His Hands”).   It’s difficult to reconcile how there can be so much loss and pain when we have such a loving God.  

We heard from the new director on our way out that the orphanage had run out of milk and formula that day, and the staff had been praying for more because they had no funds to buy it.   Ironically, we had come close to rescheduling our visit because the director had not responded to our request to visit (now we know it was because that director is no longer there), but decided we would just pop by with some donated supplies to find out when a good time was to come back.  Among the supplies - milk and baby formula!  Obviously, God orchestrated our steps to ensure these babies had milk when they needed it.  It was comforting to see how He really does have them in His hands - even when circumstances are far from ideal.  

While we were there, a 3-week old boy was brought in.  I think he probably weighed all of 4 pounds.  Seeing these children who are so innocent and affected by such a devastating situations is difficult.  Yet, they all had such a fun time playing with our children and Roxanne’s son, Wasswa.  Tyler, Brayden and Lila each had a favorite child they really seemed to bond with while we were there (Lila had 2 babies!).  Tyler’s favorite child, Isaac, we learned will soon be returning to his mother.   We don’t know Isaac’s circumstances, but hope and pray that he and the other children will find loving homes with parents who will care for all of their needs and love them well.  

(We returned to the babies’ home today.  The kids each immediately found the children they had bonded with on the previous visit, plus more!  They were so excited to return and as soon as we were in the car wanted to know when they could come again.  Photos below)

Lila and Steven

Tyler and Isaac

Brayden and Martha