The Precious Babes

Awa

Mohamed

Jeanne

Boubacar

Days at the Pouponniere are going well! I feel as if I am slowly building rapport and each time I visit I get a little further into the Pouponniere family. The babies names are slowly becoming ingrained in my brain as well; believe it or not, it is very difficult to memorize 80 babies' names, especially when they are Senegalese names and Muslim names. The women at the orphanage talk to me more now and help me learn the names of the babies. They are also learning my name and making jokes with me. The Senegalese women who work there are very strong and animated; by strong, I mean emotionally and physically. They are efficient in every way, whether or not it is getting the babies to stop crying, to stop throwing something, to stop biting something or whether or not it is cleaning the babies, feeding the babies, or giving medication to the babies. It is fascinating to watch the work because they are carrying out a job and yet they are doing it with grace, love, and efficiency. I would just like to say that I am also slightly efficient at the orphanage; I never thought I could entertain 40 babies at a time or hold 7 babies at a time or have 10 babies crawling on me at the same time. I am passed the point of being overwhelmed and at the point where problem solving and multitasking comes natural. Although it is inevitable for me to be sad after spending time with the lovely babes, I am still thankful for the opportunity to give a little love to my new Pouponniere family.