Today Charlie and I were scheduled to go to the Step by Step house for the handicapped. The taxi was supposed to pick us up at 8:15 and the cost was supposed to be 6000 schillings (about 5 dollars). Well, a taxi didn't show until 8:45am and the driver I found out later was NOT the driver that we had set up the deal with. It was a random guy that called himself David (our taxi driver's name)...he was a taxi driver but his name was "Goodluck" and was very disappointed when I handed him 6500 schillings (I thought I was being nice)! Anyway, I think I have the taxi situation worked out...we'll see.
The time at Step by Step was enlightening. I learned that Charlie's attention span for having Mommy work with other kids is only about 2 hours and that he needs to really be at home for a nap by 11am. At about 10:30, he began to cry and get cranky disrupting what I was trying to do with the kids and their lessons. SO, you live and learn...my motto for this trip. I have decided to focus on a group activity and give 2 hours on Tuesdays and Fridays between 8:30 and 10:30. During the group activity, I plan on educating the caregivers on how to assist each child. The cost there and back is about 12 dollars each visit so that adds up too! I notice I am getting somewhat discouraged because everywhere someone is asking me for money because I am white. The gal that runs the Step by Step hinted at the fact that she needs a jungle gym and scholarships for her kids ($750 each). We have some money from the donations but the needs at the hospital are great too! The medical and peds units only have 1 blood pressure cuff between them (an example). I want to do all that I can but I realize I need to set limits. Not just because of Charlie's needs but because we don't have all the money that they need/want. I think, though, that if I were in her situation I would probably do the same thing. Mzungus (whites) make up the majority of charity work that is done here and it doesn't hurt to ask, especially when it could better the situation for her kids. So, I definitely don't fault the effort. I just want to feel that my time with the kids is enough and I am having a hard time with that right now.
Not having a car to go wherever I please has also been a lesson...it is isolating and, with Charlie, it is hard to spend much of the day walking to the market to get food (that is how long it would take). It is about a 25-30 minute walk into town and then another 20 minutes to get to the center of town where the grocery store is. Then, shopping and walking back all that without Charlie getting out to explore is near impossible. AND, I can't get too much stuff because I have to haul it back home for a long walk back. Luckily, I can get veggies/fruits at the stands just outside our place and sometimes some bread. That holds us off until the weekend where we can usually catch a ride with someone who has a car.
As you can tell, probably, I am a bit discouraged today. Hopefully, tomorrow will go better. We'll keep you updated! By the way, Eric is loving it, he is becoming more competent at the hospital and learning lots.
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