Today was a tough day! We continued to visit the mothers of the children being served by the Youth Art Project. There are 40 youth ages 10 to 14 who are active with Youth Art. We have met 15 of the mothers and grandmothers and will see as many more before we leave.
Each of us found this morning very emotionally challenging as well as exhausting. We have been welcomed into each home and feel like EmBulBul is our home. The stories we hear break our hearts but we are inspired by each woman and the dreams she shares for her children. We have listened with open hearts, tears in our eyes, and feeling hopeful.
Judith is 50 years old, lives with two of her children and two grandchildren. Her son Ian is 10 is a member of Youth Art Project. She has diabetes and is unable to work. Her hope for Ian is that he will complete his education and be able to get work. She was raised in BulBul and has lived in the same house all her life.
This young mother is 30 years old. She has three children who come home after school. They are sent to their Grandmother's home at night to sleep because her one room does not have beds for the children. Her income is from selling illegal alcohol. Her dream for her son is that he will not be like her and have to sell alcohol.
Virginia, who is 10, lives with her Grandmother who is 70 and her great-grandmother who is 92. The grandmothers dream is that Virginia can complete her education and help care for her family.
Pauline is 32 and has 8 children. The 7 boys (ages 1 yr to 18) live with her in two rooms. Her daughter lives with her Auntie, out of BulBul and is in her last year of high school. She dreams of all of her children having an education and helping with a vegetable stand.
The afternoon was spent playing with the younger siblings of the youth. Today was an exam day and school did not end until 5:00 pm. Bubbles and laughter was a wonderful finish to the day.
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