A word about the children...

We were given a tour of the classrooms while school was in session. As we entered each room the children rose and greeted us with a type of salute, then crossed their arms with the hands tucked in, which we are told is a show of respect. Respectful and joyful are two words I would use to describe the students.


And busy! The day begins for the children in the orphanage at 5:00 am when they arise, have a devotional, and then spend an hour in studying and finishing any leftover homework. At 6:30 they have exercise class and chores.





From 7:00 to 8:30 they bathe, dress and have breakfast. Classes begin at 9:00 and finish at 4:00. Playtime and bath time (2 baths per day) are over by 6:00 when study time begins and goes until 9:00 when supper is served. After a short devotional, all go to bed at 10:00.

And they have a half day of school on Saturday. Only on holidays are they allowed to watch TV or videos.

Apparently all that class instruction and homework study time pays off. I met three of the female graduates (pictured below with their friend on the left) who attend college but still live at the orphanage. One is majoring in mathematics, a second one in Business Administration, the third one was studying engineering, and as I recall, the fourth was planning to teach. Some of the other graduates are in medical school.












- Laurel Sewell