SOS Villages Visit

I honked the horn as we pulled around the side of the girls’ home on Saturday morning. One by one, they came running down the cement stairs and piled into the back of the white pickup truck. We headed towards the front gate but stopped suddenly as Lizete sprinted from a classroom, yelling that she had finished her test early and could now come with us. Excitedly she threw her books and bag in the back and climbed in. We waved to the guard Carlito and turned onto the highway towards SOS Chrildrens Orphanage. 

We pulled up to SOS and saw a group of kids running to the metal gate to let us pass through. The girls were welcomed with little hugs and high fives as they jumped from the truck bed. One of our oldest girls Victoria, who recently signed a contract to work at a nursery in Beira, started to organize the activities with the others. Emma and I watched and let the YA girls lead out so they could feel the responsibility of caring for their younger brothers and sisters there at the orphanage. Eufrasia picked up a crying baby from the sand and Cecilia grabbed the little hand of the boy next to her and started to sing and dance. 

We spent the next two hours together with more than sixty orphaned children, singing, dancing and playing games. For the last activity, the girls divided the kids into smaller groups and talked with them about their favorite things, dreams, the importance of education and much more. 

This activity has been one of my favorite things we have done here so far. Seeing the girls interact with the children with such love and care was so rewarding. Everyone left with big smiles and full hearts. It was incredible to see the girls from YA, many of which have been orphans most their lives, step up into leadership roles during this activity. Providing service is a such a powerful tool for growth. We were so happy to see the girls look outside of themselves while preparing for and during the activity. We hope through this continuing mentorship project they will develop leadership skills vital to their families, communities and country.