Are You Ready to Challenge Yourself?

I was ready for a challenge when I went to Nkoaranga, and I found it!

Many who volunteer there are young, but I came as an 50-year old who had taken a leave of absence from my job to do this. I wanted to work hard and feel that my work was meaningful, not just to myself but to the people I was helping. I found what I was looking for at the orphanage. Why? The work is hard, but it is also energizing and rewarding. You arrive for your 3-hour shift(s), which can involve everything from changing diapers, dressing, and feeding the children their morning uji, to putting them to bed at night, draping the mosquito netting over their cribs and saying "lala salama" to each one. There are many children, and often lots of noise. It can be chaotic. They want your attention, your affection, your energy - and you want to give them everything you have. I thought it would take me weeks to get to know their names. I knew them all within three days, because I quickly realized they are not just "the children," but individuals, with their own stories, their own personalities. And they are incredible, resilient and wonderful little people.

The mamas who care so expertly for the kids, and whom the kids adore and obey, are friendly and kind but were not there, I quickly realized, to babysit me. Part of my challenge was humbling myself to ask for help, and make my own way a bit - to seize an opportunity to do tasks that needed to be done without being asked, and to fit into the orphanage's culture with as much respect and care as possible.

I was there in the fall, and there were no other volunteers in the volunteer compound with me after the first week of my stay. I thought I would be lonely, and sometimes I was, but it was also wonderful. My room was comfortable and private. Shabani, the compound's guard, was a friendly presence who helped me with my Swahili (helpful hint: bring a Swahili phrase-book). I made a few friends within the tiny village. Again, it was a challenge. I was a mzungu - a tall, blond one at that, so I stood out! I made an effort to learn how to greet people with respect, and they were friendly and responsive back. (Helpful hint #2 - visit Baba Gertrude's village store. He will always greet you warmly and will help you with anything you need. He may invite you to his home for a wonderful dinner!)

The village, located in the foothills of Mount Meru, is lushly surrounded by coffee plants, banana and avocado trees and all kinds of gorgeous flowering plants. It is not known for its nightlife - you have to go to Arusha (about 20 minutes away) for that. But if there are other volunteers there you can easily make your own nightlife because the compound is like your own small campus. Again, with a little effort the joys of being in Nkoaranga reveal themselves.

I think that being an older volunteer made this experience even more meaningful for me. As an example, I was able to use my years of experience as an educator to help the teacher in the orphanage's school. I know there are some older adults (although younger than I) who are planning to volunteer there this summer. I anticipate they too will find it very rewarding. If you bring to the opportunity as much of yourself as you possibly can, it makes it great.

I still miss the kids every day.