February 28: Opening Date Celebration Scheduled!

Madlen reports great confidence that on Sunday, March 25, the new building will be blessed (it is a Catholic-Church sponsored institution, after all) and the children will move in.  Laughter and good times will be had by all.

The latest photo evidence:

Looks sturdy from the outside

Ceiling in place

Installing the bunks

Impromptu study area

Tiles for the bathroom

And so far, it seems set to happen within the budget.  Crazy.

I'm planning to get out there the weekend after next.  More then.

February 14: Astounding Progress

February 14

February 11

January 16

December 14

February 3: The Faces of Kimbondo

Just a few shots of some of the Kimbondo residents from our last visit out there.  Mostly, the residents are children, though there is also housing for disabled adults.

A young man earning a little pocket money.

Dean and his army

  

   Vencure was born with
webbed fingers on both hands. 
Thanks to a kind local sur-
geon, two are now separated.

  

g

A remarkably charismatic young man
named Dieu Merci (Thanks to God

Many of the children of Kimbondo are severely disabled; in fact this is often
the reason for their abandonment.  It's hard not to judge, but life is very difficult here.
Parents often cannot feed their fully-abled kids.