Our trip to Ethiopia and Kidane Meheret were filled with emotions far greater than we ever expected. The people in Addis and at KM really touched our hearts, so much warmth and grace. We met so many caring loving people during our stay.
We spent the week at the KM guesthouse. For Alan and I it was a perfect fit, and was the best decision we could have made for ourselves and most importantly for the kids. We were able to see how they spent their days, meet their friends and caretakers. This place has been their home for over 3 years. For Alan and I, five days only gave us a small insight into the lives of the children at KM. It was far too short a visit.
Sister Lutgarda is an inspiration to so many people whose lives she touches. This small petite woman runs a tight ship with tireless energy. She has the discipline that would strike fear into a grown man (ask Alan - he accidentally struck her with a soccer ball). But yet she has so much love and compassion that it earns her endless love and admiration of all the kids, workers and families around her.
The children at KM have so much to offer. Alan and I were truly touched by the warmth that they shared. As we had been warned the toddlers will just swarm you and call you Mommy. I think I know now how octo-Mom must feel, I had six little ones hanging on to my hands, arms and legs calling Mommy, Mommy. A hug or a pat on they were on their way to play. We had our fingers counted, our face parts named by KG kids. I told stories in their classrooms, and helped with the older kids homework. I made lasting friends, and developed strong bonds with several of the older girls. Many tears were shed as the week drew to an end. The hardest part was having some of the kids that have been there for many years asking us to please find them a home.
Abate and Fantu are all we could have hoped for and more. We have our soccer star player - he scored a hat trick (3 goals) in his match on Thursday. He has soccer players and stats memorized and can talk and play soccer for hours. Fantu is such a little lady, so dainty and shy. She has the sweetest giggle and melodic lilt to her voice. On Tuesday evening the power was out and the generator was broken. We sat in the family room on the 4 th floor looking out the windows over the hills of Addis. Fantu sat so peacefully in the window, singing Amharic songs like an angel. She is blessed with a really beautiful voice. Several of her friends commented that they will miss her singing. These two kids are generous, loving, and happy. This is even more inspiring once you know their story. But it is that - their story.
The going away party was so much fun. It started with Ethiopian dancing by 4 KM kids and eventually grew in numbers until the floor was full and they had Alan and I up on the floor - not a sight to be soon repeated. What a joyful send off for Abate and Fantu, it is a memory that they will have for many years to come.
I know that the road ahead will not always be an easy one, but these two kids and all the children at Kidane Meheret have already brought us more joy than we could have imagined. I hope someday to travel again to Kidane Meheret to repay the kindness and hospitality that they shared with Alan and I. Words will never fully describe the emotions that we feel, not just while we were there but I think for all time.
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