Muscle Kids of Mwandi—Asher

Asher Ballonoff- Mwandi Volunteering 5/18/22

Zambia. Our last amazing country in Africa. I have loved adventuring around Africa. Sadly, it must come to an end. In Zambia we are going to do volunteering at an orphanage in Mwandi. The ride there was a 2-hour ride from Botswana to the small village called Mwandi. After the two-hour drive, we went to our house. I thought that it would be a tiny home like the others. Obviously I was wrong. The massive house stood out with the tiny homes beside it. It looked like a house in America! We entered and we were greeted with a fireplace, 3 couches, and a dining area. Also, with 5 bedrooms. We were showed the house and we got settled in. The next day was a free day so we did not have to volunteer today. We did not do much that day and just settled into the town. The next day we started to go to work. We woke up at 7 and we all ate breakfast, and our driver came to our house and had mom and dad go to the hospital to get mom orientated. She was going to work there delivering babies. My dad might help try to get them a cancer center. After about 1 hour and a half my dad came back to get us to go to the OVC Orphans and venerable child’s. We went to the very small building that said OVC in big, spray-painted letters. We entered the gate and were led to a small house beside it. It had some workers that gave us a tour of the place. He showed us the soccer field and the feeding area. Then he said to come back at 11:00 to help. We left at 10:30 so we had 30 minutes. Then we headed back, and we met the feeding manager. Then we were sent home a 2nd time until 12:30. In the meantime we played cards and did some alone time. Then we ate lunch and headed out the door to go to the OVC. When we got there, we saw that the room was full of kids sitting in chairs. All looking very hungry. We went to the kitchen and saw 3 big bowls. Then the workers started filling bowls with chicken, cornmeal stuff, and some veggies. Honestly, they looked amazing. Then we started to hand out the massive bowls to kids that started gratefully eating. There were lots of kids to be fed so we kept handing out the over sized bowls. After about 45 minutes, people started to finish up and started to get anxious. Then it was time for them to do drawing. We drew with them and asked them what we drew. Then Linden and I got bored, and we both made 1 paper airplane. Then we showed them how to throw them and then they wanted us to keep making more. Then we all made lots. The kids loved them! There were planes flying all over the room. I threw one and it went out the window while two kids were watching me. They flew out the door and ran as fast as they could around the house and got the plane and came back laughing and fighting for the plane. Then they gave it back to me to throw again. Then people started to go out to play soccer. Only one person remained. She was a tiny little girl that could not speak English but loved the airplanes. Sadly, she could not get an airplane in the madness of the kids. So, dad made one for her. She did not really know how to throw it because her lack of English. She would throw it backwards and she would throw it at the ground to try to make it fly. My dad and I tried to get her to throw the plane. We were unsuccessful. After that, I decided to play soccer with the boys like Linden was playing with the girls. I went into the chaotic game. These kids were barefoot on the rocky ground. I do not know how they did that. It looked like it hurt. I did not go and try to score because I did not want to ruin their game. I would kick the ball occasionally. They loved to see my kick. They would have me kick the ball for a corner kick every time. After the amazing game, Linden was doing her gymnastics tricks. They loved to try to do some of the things too, and they could usually do it! Then what blew our mind was when some of the boys started to do aerials! That is pretty much a cartwheel without hands! Linden can only do thought on a bouncy floor! These kids are amazing athletes! They can do anything! I love working in Zambia in Mwandi in the OVC. We are coming to an end of our trip.