The site and sound of 400 primary school children singing Karibu (Welcome) was amazing. Video of our initial welcome.

Being welcomed at the CSCODI school for orphans, Butembo

Being welcomed at the CSCODI school for orphans, Butembo

CSCODI school kids

CSCODI school kids

We were escorted and feted down a road to the school where everyone lined up for a school assembly.

Being escorted to the school

Being escorted to the school

Being followed down the road to the school

Being followed down the road to the school

Getting organized

Getting organized

Songs of welcome continued and they sang a solemn national anthem.

Preparing for the national anthem

Preparing for the national anthem

Video of children gathering

As always in Africa, we were asked to give greetings and to say a prayer for them which Michael (as the man, as always) gave.

Speaking to the assembly

Speaking to the assembly

These children don’t have any other school they can attend. The school finds a way to pay for the kids in the orphanage, but the majority of orphans and students are being supported in church family homes. Fees are $30 per student per year, but many families still can’t pay that and the 13 teachers are way behind in their pay of $1 per day. It is hard to go after the foster parents when they are already stepping up by housing the orphans. It didn’t help the school to have thieves steal some of their supplies.

Visiting a classroom

Visiting a classroom

Teacher with his class

Teacher with his class

We met with the Head Master to learn many of these details before visiting some class rooms which were back in session. Greetings once again were obligatory. In one class, four small kids had to stand in the back because they were so crammed in and there were no seats.

The small kids are without desks or seats

The small kids are without desks or seats

The school operates 8:00 to 1:00, closed in July and August.

We left the school to visit a nearby CSCODO Health Clinic just after school was out. The children from the orphanage are fed lunch here as it is a long walk back. This clinic serves the kids from the school but also some special needs. We were introduced to four very young girls who had been raped and ostracized as a result. It is heart breaking to hear how they are treated.

Brenda greeting the younger kids at the clinic

Brenda greeting the younger kids at the clinic

Four young girls

Four young girls who were raped, ostracized and taken in by the Clinic