Day 7

I arrived at the gates of the Nutrition Center, not certain what to expect. As I peered through the bars, I saw about a dozen pair of dark eyes looking back at me. Once I was inside, I was mobbed by several toddlers, some running, others walking, and the rest crawling; all eager for affection. As I have come to learn, the Nutrition Center is a place where malnourished children are sent temporarily. Depending on the cause of their malnourishment, they are subsequently sent home, to the state orphanage, or other orphanages. The cases range and include lack of parent knowledge, poverty, neglect, abuse, or a combination. Several of the children had protruding bellies, a sign of insufficient protein, also known as kwashiorkor. Another common sight was decaying teeth, which can also result from lack of proper nutrition. A few were incapable of walking. While there, we assisted in the “routine.” Basically this includes a feeding, bathroom time with bathing, and then playtime. This is repeated several times a day, with naps here and there. Nearly all of the children, even the youngest, can feed themselves with a spoon- which I found impressive. When potty time comes, they are all placed on their individual “pot,” and all put in a big bathroom area. The sight is adorable! Each time I went there, I saw different behaviors. The first time the children were all silent and well behaved. The following time, several were crying while others energetically raced in their pots across the room. And the last visit, many of the children were singing and clapping in unison. I wish I could share pictures, but unfortunately, it is against policy at the center. Anyways, a picture would be unable to capture the innocence and pure goodness that the children are.
At times I could cry imaging all the hardships that these children have gone through at such a young age. I must say that the staff is excellent. They are loving, kind, patient, understanding, skilled- however, they are not their mother, or their father- nor or they a permanent presence in their lives.