Today we have been working with the youth with the aim of developing their ability to work as a team and remain disciplined/committed in what they do.
I had a meeting with the dance group this morning. They explained that the centre they have been practicing from is currently undergoing a change in management. This has caused a lot of riots around the centre, preventing them from practicing. There has been promises that everything will be sorted by the weekend but until then we don't want to upset anyone by turning up whilst they are still sorting out disagreements within the management. I therefore took back the money we were going to give for that week and put in into another building, of which the manager agreed to hold us for just one week as it's normally used for functions.
I was impressed by the dancers. The dancers which remain practicing regularly are those who are completely dedicated to the group so they have perfected their break dancing and traditional african dances. I enjoyed spending time with the group again as it was this group which brought me to the area in the first place, before I started the Boys Home. We are planning on putting a fundraising performance next week, which they are really excited about! I am choreographing two dances for the group, which they surprising love considering I think they can dance better than me! Africans have great rhythm! I think they like my street style though as it is different to their shoulder and hip jigging movements!
Matt worked with the boys, teaching them rugby. None of the boys have played rugby before so they were very eager to get going - especially as they admire Matt's physique! They keep saying 'Mr Matt is powerful'. Matt was working on their throwing skills, getting them to work together to communicate and play as a team. He also spent a lot of time directing them! African time is very frustrating! It takes them ages to fulfil one instruction! Matt was using rugby to help them understand the importance of remaining focussed and related rugby to life. He told them that in a job it is important that they work together as a team, to make the job easier and it is important to be disciplined in order to keep your job. Great advice - I am so proud of Matt, he is great with the boys and they really look up to him.
In particular, Matt and I noticed a very quiet boy in the home; William. He has only been in the home for 3 months so he is very shy and lacks confidence, just as most of the boys were when they first came. His parents both died of HIV AIDS when he was 6 so he had no choice but to live with his step mother. In Uganda, step children are not treated very well - they are seen as a burden to the family. He wasn't being treated very well at all by his step mother so he came to the football practice, crying to Redo to help him. He clearly struggles emotionally with all the changes he has had to face. Some of the boys who first came to the house also have spent nights crying as they remembered all the awful things they have seen and as they mourn for their parents. Over time, the boys have learned to block out the past and focus on their future and now, since their future seems brighter for them, they can manage a lot better. William is still struggling to block his memories, as he is new to the home and is just trying to find his place amongst the boys. At the Dewe Project, Matt noticed that he was on his own doing the work so he worked with him on his vegetables and they have now grown a strong bond. Matt has deliberately made an extra effort with William. He has become someone William can trust and William is starting to smile during the days now, as he is realising that there is someone who cares for him.
Thank you x
We also visited the nurse today. The nurse gave us a box full of medication for things which the boys regularly fall sick with; malaria, stomach aches, head aches and fever. She has also agreed to provide medication for the boys when they need it for other things and/or when the boys runs out. She has been paid for this and Redondo assures me that we can trust her as she is their regular nurse.
I will wack some more pictures up another day, when we have more of the rugby and dance in action! We were too busy today to take photos!
Big Love xxx
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