SMILE AFRICA

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

1 John 3:18

My team and I volunteer at Smile Africa Ministries. It is not considered an orphanage because they do not house the children. However most of the children are considered orphans or vulnerable children (meaning they have one parent but may not being cared for). Some of children that come to Smile during the day, sleep in the street or in a nearby village on neighbor's dirt floor. The children walk to Smile each morning- some carrying their younger siblings on their back. Many four and five year olds are carrying their infant brother or sister on their back for miles, and once at Smile they care for their every need. They feed them, bathe them, and hold them when they cry. Many of these children are forced to be little parents- little mommies when they are babies themselves. It’s incredible to watch them care and nurture the small ones, but its sad they don’t know what’s like to be carefree children.

The mornings begin with everyone greeting each other and just slowly visiting friends. Then around ten they are served porridge (basically watered down cream of wheat) No nutritional value at all. It is simply a filler food for their bellies. Many of the young ones are naked or wear rags. Some of them have clothes to wear at Smile, but cannot wear them home because their parents would sell it and send them back naked. The children are washed daily. They line up, strip down, and wash each other from a basin. Its quite chaotic, but the older ones help bathe the babies. They eat rice for lunch every day. For many it’s the only meal they receive, so they wait till ten the next morning before eating again. Their diets consist of posho and rice, so they aren't receiving much nourishment. However, this is better than not eating at all. During the school term they are in classrooms and have more of a schedule. They are on summer break right now, so they mostly just play! My team and I are beginning to teach classes daily and are focusing on the Christmas story for the next few weeks. We are teaching scripture and several songs to perform on Christmas:)

Smile is a ministry that provides a safe place to come, to be fed, to play, and to be loved. Pastor Ruth’s vision began when she saw the number of street children (mostly Karamojong children). She began feeding them, but she was soon stopped by the government as it encouraged more and more street children. She witnessed children dying from starvation and sickness- she had to do something. Smile is only two years old and has a long way to go, but God is at work in this place. We have been observing the past few weeks on how things go at Smile, but Pastor Ruth is open to our advice and help on how to make it a better place for these children. The staff is overworked and exhausted, so we try to relieve them as much as possible. We spend our day helping with food, washing, and most importantly loving on the children. We hold babies, we play games, we sing songs, we dance, we demonstrate love and care for them. It is difficult at times because of cultural difference, especially with discipline and punishment, but we are trying to find a role in teaching them how to discuss their issues and not resort to fighting. It will take time, but we hope to leave a mark. God is at work at this place. He is providing for these children. At times we get discouraged and look around at all that needs to be fixed and improved (as Americans do), and instead we have to look at where they would be if they weren’t at Smile. Sometimes the things we think they need would only make their lives more difficult. The best we can offer is our attention and love- they are starving for it. Smiles, hugs and kisses go a long way.

We are splitting our time between the children’s ministry and the women’s ministry in town. Smile Africa for Women is a wonderful organization designed to help widows and young women who either can’t provide for themselves or have been involved in unhealthy behavior. They come to learn a skill- to sew- make necklaces- make handbags- to sell through the office or at the market. They also set up a savings account to teach them to put money aside for the future (this is a concept many Africans don’t understand due to their "live for today" mentality) Why prepare for tomorrow when you don’t know if you can get through today? We have enjoyed working with these women. We are learning from each other. It is a wonderful opportunity to minister to young women who are at a critical point in their lives. God is at work here as well, and we are willing and ready to join in on God's plans for both ministries. We hope to make an impact as we share our lives and love for Christ.