The baby home is referred to as a "transition home" rather than an "orphanage" because many of the children are not actual orphans and may be reunified with their families/relatives. When families are in transition and seeking employment or struggling with other things, the baby home cares for babies and children. For example, there are triplet girls at the baby home right now, and they will eventually be reunited with their mom, who is currently working and saving money in order to support her girls.
Employees
There are eight full-time nannies, most of whom live at the baby home. Unlike other baby homes, their nannies only care for the babies and children (each nanny is assigned 4-5 babies/children). They do not have to do clean up or cook meals, which allows for them to spend more quality time with the babies and children in their care. The baby home employs three full-time women to take care of the laundry. Currently, all laundry is hand-washed and hung on lines outside to dry. There are also two full-time cooks, as well as two males (guards/larger cleaning jobs), who reside in a small facility behind the baby home.
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| This is only SOME of the laundry done each day. |
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| Drying socks in the window. |
Babies and Children
The baby home currently has about 30 babies and children (one little girl, Rose's "sister" and friend, was joyfully reunified with her mom and grandfather while we were there), ranging in age from infant to nine years of age. They are joyful children, which speaks volumes about their care. Always willing to play, they will run up and pull on your hands, legs, clothes, etc., just to gain attention. They LOVE visitors and are incredibly welcoming. When I would sit on the floor, I often had children behind me playing with my hair, children/babies in my lap, and children resting on my legs. I left each day exhausted (and covered in urine, dirt, sweat, and drool), but filled with this indescribable joy. Side note: I have a TON of pictures, but can not share most of them due to confidentiality reasons. No faces permitted.
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| These babies are drinking a high-protein porridge from LARGE cups. Surprisingly, they never spill! |
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| The sweet little girl is one of the triplets; she was playing with my hair while the little boy slept in my lap in a seemingly uncomfortable position. |
Funding
Heart of a Child Baby Home is operated by Nightlight Christian Adoptions (NCA). As per their agreement, NCA does not provide payment to the baby home for adoptions (this is becoming more and more common, as it prevents "quick" or "illegal" adoptions). Instead, the baby home is funded by donations from families and churches. Currently, they are not fully funded. If you would like to assist the baby home with a tax-deductible donation, please contact Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Even better, why not prayerfully consider visiting the baby home and volunteering your time? Or perhaps considering adoption?
Needs
I am working on compiling a "Wish List" of items that the baby home needs in order to operate. In addition to my suitcase, I will be taking four cases of donations when I return to Uganda in the coming months. Unfortunately, items can not be mailed to the baby home. Even if they did make it (which it is highly unlikely that they won't), the baby home would be taxed a large sum on the packages. Many have already agreed to donate formula and medication - thank you! Another huge need is "plastic pants" or cloth diapers.
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