The new year brings many changes. Not only the heavy rains that now paint the highlands of Tanzania in various shades of green, and the multitude of insects and butterflies on the move, but also changes within the children's village. Simon, driver and facility manager at AOHM, planted fruit trees at the beginning of this year within the children's village. The trees are intended for the children, so that when they return from school after a long day, they can already enjoy fresh fruit along the path. The access road to the children's village will become an avenue lined with lemon and guava trees, complemented by avocado, mango, and papaya trees.
Simon, with a wheelbarrow full of small fruit trees and the children in tow, who happily helped him with the planting.
In the first three months of the year, not only have new trees been planted in the children's village, but six new children have also moved in.
It all began with little Isan, who is just three weeks old and whose mother passed away, leaving him in need of a new home. The tiny baby has now settled in well. He is being lovingly cared for by his house mama and the children in the blue house, and with his curious eyes, he is now taking in the world around him.
A few days later, three siblings from Mkawaganga were welcomed into AOHM. The eldest girl will turn 11 next month, her brother is 5 years old, and their youngest sister is 15 months old. This, too, was a fateful event: their mother suddenly passed away, their father could not be found, and there are no other relatives. Sayuni, the older sister, adapted easily, as she already knew a few girls from school and quickly bonded with them. The situation was different for the other two. Little Asnat is very attached to her sister, while the boy, Majaliwa, needed some time to adjust. He only spoke the Wahehe language at first and is now learning new Swahili words every day at the AOHM kindergarten, making friends and gradually coming out of his shell.
Another new arrival is Failhaty, who is one and a half years old and was abandoned by her parents. Her aunt feels unable to care for the child, so the Social Welfare Office requested that the children's village take her in.
Failhaty is currently learning to walk. She is a quiet child who is already good at entertaining herself and charms everyone at nursery with her sweet smile.
A week later, in the evening twilight, an ambulance arrived from Ilula carrying five-year-old Noreen. The intake was initiated by Social Welfare due to serious concerns about the child's well-being. It took her some time to adjust to the large number of children, but she is now an inseparable part of the group of girls her own age.
The children in the children's village make it easy for the new arrivals. They are quickly welcomed into the group. After just a few days, it already feels as though they have always been part of the family of the children's village.
All new children underwent medical examinations. No serious health problems were found.
In the Amani Orphans Home Mbigili, they now have a safe home – a secure place where they can grow up feeling protected and cared for.
In a few years, when the six new children are grown up, they will eat the fruit from the trees that were planted with them in the Orphanage.
Asanteni! Jojo, Karla, Uli and Barbara