Already on my first day at Victorious Children’s Ministries, I started wondering about the space at the orphanage. The house didn’t seem that big, where did all the kids sleep? I soon learned the facts.
First of all, this is a family run orphanage. The ground on which the house stands has been in the family for years and the orphanage has only existed since 2009. Extra houses have been built to house an office and a teaching room for the kids. However, the main house is not very big and 20 children are sleeping there.
So, the biggest bedroom is approximately nine (9) square metres. In this space, 15 boys are supposed to sleep in two bulk beds and two other beds. Naturally, despite sharing beds, they don’t all fit. Some sleep on the floor in the room and some of them outside the room.
The 5 girls are sleeping on the floor in the same room as the mother of the founder. Needless to say, this is quite crowded as well. One effect of the sleeping conditions is that it’s not possible to put mosquito nets up for all the children. As this is a malaria area, mosquito nets are important.
Now, there is some space in the backyard that is currently not used and the plan is to build a bigger room there for the boys and let the girls get the boys’ room. That way, all the kids would be able to sleep in beds and have mosquito nets.
There is just one thing missing. Money. As always. So what does it cost to build that room? 1300 USD. That’s right. In Sweden, that would barely be enough to have a room painted. Differences. I immediately knew that I would make it my mission to raise money for this room. On February 1, I started the fundraise. Today, we have reached more than 900 USD. Friday is the last day. Can we raise another 400 USD until then? I believe so.
To help, go here: http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/a-bedroom-for-orphans/133388
The countdown starts now…