Orphanage

Yesterday Gary and I went with a Newsline reporter to an orphanage in the eastern village of Rwamagana. The bus ride was about an hour. Upon arrival, our reporter friend, George, called a contact of his—a former street kid who now runs a group of childcare centres for kids with nowhere else to go.

The two centres we visited had some great images and sad stories. The kids seem to be happy for the most part; however, some will still say that life on the street is better than life in the shelter. The meals are basic, bland and rationed. The residences are basic as well, to say the least. I couldn't imagine growing up like this. I think there's a lesson (for those of us in Western World) in the fact that we found many smiles in a place like this.