Ups and downs!

A week full of ups and downs so where shall I begin. Last week father Goodwills wife's sister died age 35 leaving behind 2 children a girl of 9 and a boy of 10 who also lost their father a few years ago. Goodwill asked if they could come to the orphanage and of course we said yes. They came in the week and I had to really fight back the tears but they both said they wanted to come and stay at the orphanage. Ctaching flies was the excitement of the week, at this time of the year when it get's dark the children light fires and the flies are attracted to the light, there are thousands of them and the kiddies catch them and then drown them in water. Happy, one of the girls asked if we wanted to eat one of course we said yes I tried first (because I'm a die hard)then Leanne and reluctantly Lisette. I didn't think it was to bad but Leanne and Lisette were not too keen. In the morning we were told that the flies have to be cooked before you eat them. Fortunetely the flies didn't kill us and the next night we helped the kids catch them.
THe whole week we spent making Christmas decorations and all the kids loved it even the 17 and 18 year olds. On Saturday we decorated the dinning hall and all the kids couldn't believe how wonderful their artwork looked. This week I also put on my angry act as I was fed up telling eveyone to tidy their room, wash their clothes etc, etc. Although it was hard I told them I would stop buying all the extra food I have been buying like fish, goat meat, vegetables and fruit until they started doing things on their own. I kept to my word and every morning Leanne and Lisette inspected the boys area and I checked the girls area (it was a bit like the army)my blackmail action seemed to work and on saturday I told them I was pleased and they would be rewarded with the things they like to eat but they had to continue the good work. This morning Sunday 16 December was the worst morning since we have been here. Leanne went to give some of the girls medicine and came back and said Estere was ill she had an ear infection and we had finished her medicine and she seemed a lot better. I went to see her, she was lying on a matras shaking, puss was coming out of her ear and she was groaning and was boiling hot. For a minute we didn't know what to do but Leanne decided to phone Chancy who is the lovely doctor who helps us and the children a lot. We woke him up as it was his day of and he told us to go to the hospital and he would be there. We carried Estere to the car and we drove to the hospital. When we got there we went to the children's ward, the most depressing place I have ever seen in my life, children, mostly babies lying on primitive beds with a mother or guardian with them and one nurse to look after them all. Chancy took Estere temperature (40,7) her blood pressure and listened to her chast. He said due to the ear infection the bacteria had gone into her bloodstream and possible to her brain (Melangitus, can't spell it). He immediately inserted and infuse and put her into a private room. Leanne went back to the orphanage as Estere has a grandmother in the village and to collect clean clothes and food and drinks as everyone has to cater for themselves. Whilst Leanne was away I went into the children's ward and one of the babies had just died the mother was crying (whaling), I burst out crying. Leanne returned with Estere aunty who would stay with her and Chancy explained eveything and then we left and asked Chancy to phone us. The three of us were very upset but hopefully we were on time. Jacques, Markie and Estere (girlfriend) arrive tomorrow so we will be together for Christmas. We are going to celebrate Christmas day at the orphanage eating the children's favourite foof chicken and rice and naturally we have a few presents for them. On that note I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas it will certainly be one we will never, ever forget.

Love Sue
xxxx

Ps: Doctor Chancy has just called and told us Estere's temperature has dropped and she is stable. Thank GOD for that!