Let’s hold hands
Aim to Change humbled by orphanage visit
To experience the selfless love of Rosalinda and her staff, who run the place, made us realise that you do not need to be rich to make a difference. Just hold each other's hands.
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love," is a quote attributed to Mother Teresa.
On Saturday, 1 April, the girls of Aim to Change, the outreach group of our school, did exactly that. We visited the Orlindi Orphanage in Katutura. Thinking that we would be enriching the lives of these little children, instead, we were overwhelmed at how enriched we felt at the end of the day.
At the start of every academic year, with the assistance of our coordinator, Mrs Winkler, we identify projects where we could render a helping hand. Top of the list was the Easter programme at Orlindi Orphanage.
Family
When we arrived, the little ones were asked to stay in their rooms while we hid a number of Easter eggs on the premises. Thereafter, the children excitedly ran about, searching frantically for the eggs. Needless to say, the toddlers were nudged in the direction of the hidden eggs. Some were in trees, others under benches, some in the hollows of the tyres, and even in the building's pipes. What struck me immensely was when a child could find more than two eggs and willingly shared with those who found only one or nothing at all. A lesson I learned that day was to share lovingly. It was clear that even though these children were not related, they were indeed family.
We played musical chairs and tug of war. Games that activated their spontaneity and childlike nature. I’m still wondering who had more fun – the little ones or Aim to Change Girls.
A singular lesson
After singing the ATC anthem, the children, without any inhibitions, started to showcase their dancing skills. It was heartwarming to see toddlers attach themselves to us, wanting to be picked up or just content to hold onto the hem of our school uniform. Their excitement when receiving our Easter goodie bag and ice lollies was priceless!
To experience the selfless love of Rosalinda and her staff, who run the place, made us realise that you do not need to be rich to make a difference. Just hold each other’s hands.
On Saturday, 1 April, the girls of Aim to Change, the outreach group of our school, did exactly that. We visited the Orlindi Orphanage in Katutura. Thinking that we would be enriching the lives of these little children, instead, we were overwhelmed at how enriched we felt at the end of the day.
At the start of every academic year, with the assistance of our coordinator, Mrs Winkler, we identify projects where we could render a helping hand. Top of the list was the Easter programme at Orlindi Orphanage.
Family
When we arrived, the little ones were asked to stay in their rooms while we hid a number of Easter eggs on the premises. Thereafter, the children excitedly ran about, searching frantically for the eggs. Needless to say, the toddlers were nudged in the direction of the hidden eggs. Some were in trees, others under benches, some in the hollows of the tyres, and even in the building's pipes. What struck me immensely was when a child could find more than two eggs and willingly shared with those who found only one or nothing at all. A lesson I learned that day was to share lovingly. It was clear that even though these children were not related, they were indeed family.
We played musical chairs and tug of war. Games that activated their spontaneity and childlike nature. I’m still wondering who had more fun – the little ones or Aim to Change Girls.
A singular lesson
After singing the ATC anthem, the children, without any inhibitions, started to showcase their dancing skills. It was heartwarming to see toddlers attach themselves to us, wanting to be picked up or just content to hold onto the hem of our school uniform. Their excitement when receiving our Easter goodie bag and ice lollies was priceless!
To experience the selfless love of Rosalinda and her staff, who run the place, made us realise that you do not need to be rich to make a difference. Just hold each other’s hands.
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