Members of the African-Hungarian Union and Hungarian volunteer doctors visited the St. Kizito children’s home

Mónika L. Novák was part of a delegation which visited a children’s home in Mbale, globoport.hu writes. The doctors, Dr Zsófia Kapi, Dr Zita Bagi, and paramedic Attila Gáspár examined the children one by one; the change of the season caused many kids to have bronchitis, cold, and upper respiratory illnesses, but none of the children had diabetes or malaria, and the number of HIV positive children didn’t increase.

After the children were examined and medications were given, the doctors gave every child a little present,
collected by the African-Hungarian Union and donated by several people in Hungary, as well as by the supporting parents of the children.

Many children got personal presents from their supporting parents, like Adrian, who was happy to get a toy truck and a bubble pipe; Aisa opened the cookies first, and looked for her dolls, while Agnes, wearing sunglasses and a pink hat, was drawing top models with her pen which had top models on it.

There were presents for everyone, and the 20-year-old Brandon, who still lives in the home due to the several hardships he had to endure at such a young age, got supplies which help him to continue his studies: notebooks, pens, and some toiletries. The twins, Odongo and Opio, played on their piccolos, with toy cars, and, of course, played football as well.

Moreen and Theresa acted like queens and didn’t understand what the fuss was about. John Valentine could not participate in the games due to his illness, but got a giraffe patterned cushion and a stuffed giraffe. Thanks to the sponsors Emma, Anita, and Paul can go to the school for orphans, and were full of joy. During Mónika’s previous visit Anita Evelyn had malaria, but already recovered, and put her new slippers on her bare feet.
The boys opened the boxes and then distributed anything they could find among themselves: toothbrushes, toothpastes, soaps, and a great amount of pens, pencils, and paper. But the most precious presents were the candies and the ball. The nun, who is also their teacher, told Mónika that the boys do well in school, and they are on the same level with the others.

Emily, who is all grown up and often helps the nuns, only wanted a toy horse and, of course, new clothes. Mukhwana Agnes also chose a horse, the smaller one, and was holding it tightly until everyone left. Bruno kept the children entertained throughout the whole examinations process, took care of the younger children, gave everyone some candy from his box, and took the rest to his bedroom. Daniel, who’s been living in the children’s home for a long time now, divided the contents of his box evenly with his friend. No child was left without presents.

The nuns were extremely happy to get so many diapers, because when they ran out, they have to use shredded clothes and wash them after every use. It’s not very hygienic, and gives them a lot of extra work.

The biggest present, however, is the people’s donation, which the delegation gave to the St. Kizito orphanage and children’s home. The nuns look after the children like they were their own and no one ever hears them complain. No one is left alone, not even Jane, who is 8 years old now, and was born with brain damage, but is taken care of in the orphanage. The doctors could not give the nuns any good news regarding Jane, but gave them some medicine that could possibly stabilize her condition.

The reason the children’s home can function is that the African-Hungarian Union fills in for the non-existent social safety net, and makes kids’ lives easier with regular programmes and donation seeking activities.

Photos: globoport.hu

Copy editor: bm