Thursday 6/11

Today was really sad for me. We found out that we aren't allowed to go back to the orphanage that I've been working at because the professors were told some things in confidence (so I have no idea what they are because the professors wouldn't share with us) that had something to do with the place being disreputable and maybe being under investigation for something. We weren't even allowed to go back today to say goodbye so that was really hard. There was this one little boy, Risiwani, who was attached at the hip to me every time I was there, but on the last day I was there the only lady who speaks much English was back (I guess she'd had a few days off) and she said not to ever pick him up (which I had obviously been doing the last few days) because no one was allowed to since he cries whenever he is put down. My heart just aches for this little boy who obviously needs to be loved and nurtures and who isn't even getting to be held except when they pick him up to put him on the changing table. 

Instead of going here for our two hour service learning time, we went to tour another orphanage with one of the professors and the differences between it and mine were extraordinary. The lights were on and it was more open and there were more toys and every baby was being played with and all of the older babaies were out in a huge backyard with a little plastic jungle gym thing and a trampoline and all sorts of stuff and all the babaies seemed happy and energetic and this was all a complete opposite to what I'd seen at the first orphanage. It made me even sadder to know that a better life was possible for my little friends and yet they weren't able to have it. 

After this I was pretty homesick all day and missing everything and everyone from home. I was able to talk to my parents for a few minutes each, which helped a little, but phone conversations are very short here because I'm either using the wifi to skype (which is very slow and glitchy) or using my phone minutes (which costs a ton per minute). I know I will be better soon though and I'm really looking forward to our safari! Write again soon.