Hnr week 1 at the orphanage.
It's Sunday morning and nearly 60 kids from 1-19 are appearing in dribs and drabs. The rule is to shower before breakfast so they're all squeaky clean. On the table is a huge pot of rice and a plate of chicken nuggets, plus less-popular ( but still being eaten) melon that I've sliced.
Chores are next - I've cleaned my room - and the monthly roster tells what to do. Washing dishes, sweeping, mopping , laundry... No it's not child labour, just the reality of living in a very big family and helping out. Most have parents who are so poor that they've taken this opportunity for the kids to have a better life, and some have come from horrific backgrounds. All are now happy and healthy, polite and helpful, but full of mischief as kids should be! The place runs with the help of some truly amazing staff - the food is very yum - and exists entirely on donations.
I'm living here for a month and helping out with English, craft, singing and cuddles!! My daily r&r is to ride my bike 8km to Sanur for yoga or swim, the traffic is loud but not too scary for this retired old chook (not that old really but the cheeky big boys call me grandma and the baby is fascinated by my white hair).
It's still school hols so there's lots of soccer and other games happening. The big kids play guitar and piano and check their Facebook, the little ones just play. All are having fun!!