10th Anniversary Celebration!

(Written May 15th)

Today, I got to experience one of the most memorable events of my trip thus far--the Nyumba Yanga 10th year anniversary celebration. From the get-go it took my breath away. The celebration started with a celebration of the mass led by Fr. Eugene; the first reading, read eloquently by Memori brought tears to my eyes. After mass, it was time for the girls to show off their talents. We watched many wonderful dances and heard beautiful songs. However, my favorite parts were a skit about how Nyumba Yanga really was a HOME of JOY and when two girls got the chance to tell their stories. The whole hall was dead silent and tears were streaming down most of the guests cheeks including my own. It was so touching to hear what these girls had been through and the joy, acceptance, and love they found at this small orphanage they affectionately called home.

After all of the formalities and thank you's had been expressed, it was really time to enjoy. There was food handmade by the older girls (Samosas, chips, dosai and other Indian delights), tables filled with the crafts the girls had worked so hard on (rosaries, necklaces, bracelets, hand knit scarves, home-grown popcorn, and door mats), and music blasting over the make-shift speaker system. Visitors and guests were plenty and the girls loved all of the extra attention. Nyumba Yanga did not quiet down until 7pm that night after a communal meal was shared on the lawn. Micaela and I closed the night by teaching some of the girls (Memori, Chisanga, Gorette and others) the actions to the song 'Awesome God' which the girls got a kick out of.

It was all in all a memorable successful day and all the preparations leading up to it were well worth it,

Amanda