by Rachel Meyers
Out in the middle of no where is a this quaint little Cafe. About 4 Km from Naiomi’s Village home.. The children’s home started a new tradition this year in January. They take the “birthday kids” for the month out for pizza lunch(chicken or beef toppings) and they each get to choice there own soda flavor to drink.
Kids here at the home are trained to not socialize over a meal, as to just focus on eating so that the next group of children can come through to eat after them. So dining out at a restaurant was a similarly quiet experience. For some a first to be out in this type of setting. They seemed quiet and nervous, not very birthday celebration party-like. JJ and I had an interesting time. We were also told before we entered to not devour the food in front of us, there will be plenty for all and to eat normal portions. The children here are given at the home, a portion and that is all, here at the restaurant you take one piece of pizza at a time and then another, so that was different for them. JJ and I felt honored to be invited to go on this adventure and celebrate with these 7 special children.
Soni, Mary, JJ, Joseph, Evans, Jane, Stella and Mercy. It was so special that they included JJ in this outing.
JJ shares the 14th of February with Joseph (green striped shirt), Mercy (pink dress on lap of another child) and her other new February friends.
3 Staff members celebrate birthdays in February as well: (L to R)Uncle Bonface, Uncle Anthony and Auntie Jane.
After the meal we returned home for an afternoon rest time that the kids on weekends are encouraged to have. And then at 4pm begins a water war for those birthday people.
Uncle Bonface and JJ getting soaked. Uncle Bonface and his family live here on the grounds as home parents all year round.
Then after the water fun, ALL join in the dining hall to celebrate with singing, cake and icecream. A REAL TREAT! Each birthday child is given a bag treat bag with a few candies as their gift.
This is a birthday JJ will never forget!
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