Eric and Sam

Lilongwe, Malawi


Today is a stay-at-headquarters day dedicated to catching up on paperwork and continuing data analysis. All of the research team members are busy transcribing interviews or typing interviews. We are all either connected to an audio recorder or laptop computer.

The research process is slowing down a little, and we are discussing what will take place when the American team returns to the US and the Malawi team continues with the work.

In the afternoon we are treated to a tour of the Open Arms orphanage. I visited this place in 2004 when I was last in Malawi. The organization accepts children from birth and keeps them for up to two years. Most of the children have lost their mothers, and the goal is to reunite the children with their families in the villages. Most times this works out, but sometimes the children are returned to Open Arms. An outreach program is in place to provide housing and schooling for the orphans who cannot be reunited with their families or adopted.

The care givers are spectacular, and they provide a safe and loving environment for the children to thrive. One way to tell that the children are well loved is that they come up to you with outstretched arms waiting to be picked up. How can anyone resist such an invitation? Once you pick them up, it is very hard to put them down! I was instantly drawn to a little boy named Eric and his twin brother named Sam. I wish I could bring both of them back with me to California. Perhaps another time.