Njoki......(2nd Post of JMP)

Njoki preparing breakfast.....

On my first trip there were 2 girls that just grabbed my heart. Kerry Ann and Njoki are about the same age. By now they are probably 28 years old. But it's hard to think of them like that. They seem so young and fit in with all of the children in the orphanage. Even though they play and sing right along with everyone else they both are very good at "mothering" the younger ones.

Njoki has Downs Syndrome and has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes which is not making her happy. She is on a special diet and everytime I talk to Ms. Grant - the administrator - she says that Njoki is sad because of the food she has to eat. The orphanage is set up wonderfully in the fact that it is basically a home. All those who are capable have responsibilities that they have to take care of. But from what I see Njoki has alot of responsibilities and sometimes I just go and wrap my arms around her because I know the feeling of exhaustion of being the caregiver.

One of my first experiences with Njoki was probably one of my most difficult. Ms. Curry yelled at her...(they always yell - no one just talks..LOL...) "Njoki....go feed Mooni....." They say that Njoki is the only one that can feed Mooni. So Njoki takes me by the hand and leads me into the small kitchen in her cottage. She grabs a bottle that honestly looked 20 years old and began to pour some kind of thick yellow mush kind of liquid into it. She then screwed a nipple on that had the tip cut off that would allow the thick liquid to come out. She once again takes my hand and pulls me into one of the rooms. The room had about 8 beds but only one was occupied. Here lay a girl, probably in her late teens - her legs were bowed and her arms and hands were clenched and bent and she had the largest brown eyes I had ever seen. Njoki went over to the cupboard that held clothes. Clothes that belong to all the girls...you just take out whatever fits and that's what they wear. Well, Njoki reaches up and grabs a dress shirt that is made of a Satin like material. She puts the shirt across Moonies chest and under her chin to use as a bib. She proceeds to stick the bottle in Moonie's mouth and Squeeeze.... and Squeeeze....and she would turn and look at me and just smile and rub my arm while she worked. As she squeezed the yellow liquid covered Moonie's face and down her chin and cheeks...all over the bed and filled the "bib"....Njoki would take the satin bib and try to wipe Moonie but the fabric would just spread it everywhere. I just sat and watched the interaction. The more Njoki tried the worse it got and then I watched Moonie....she had the biggest smile on her face and laughter in her eyes. Njoki got done and patted Moonie, who was now a complete mess, and then grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door.

Njoki feeding Mooni.....(this wasn't the day with the purple satin bib though...LOL...)

Just sitting here thinking about her makes me laugh. She is very protective of the visitors. Especially when some of the boys come around. She knows that Franky may pinch or hit and so when he comes close you can see her just eyeing him....She knows Tony is just a flirt and always wants to be by the girls. She knows at any moment Beannie Mon might just drop his pants whenever he wants and so it's nothing to see her smack him upside the head.

Njoki protecting Joey from Tony...this is just typical Njoki....Love It!

This last time she was just hilarious. On the last day of working at Westhaven they always throw us a party with cake and ice cream. Which is a great treat for the kids as well. Kerry Ann always sings us a song and it always makes me cry....But this last time the kids had some music going and they were dancing like crazy. I just wish that you could see Njoki dance.....She just smiles and goes to town....It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

This last trip I didn't spend as much time with Njoki as the other 2 times. I realize that Kerry Ann is very jealous and gets upset if I am paying attention to Njoki. Last time I tried to juggle time with both and it exhausted me. While Kerry Ann was eating I would go for a walk with Njoki. Or when Kerry Ann was occupied with someone else I would hug on her....But this last time I realized that Njoki makes friends easy. It's not hard to find some other visitor that wants to spend time with her. So my main focus was Kerry Ann but I never passed up a chance to get hugs from her....

Njoki hugging on Kathy....Love that smile....

So there is my girl Njoki....Sometimes I just watch her while she works...I watch her talk to the other children in their own language...or maybe just give a look - just like a mom would...I watch her laugh and I see her sit and lean her head against a post and close her eyes just to catch a moments rest....She is remarkable and I am so blessed to know her.

Have you ever seen someone that you were just in awe of. Someone that you just sat back and watched how they move....Maybe it was a nurse that was caring for a loved one.....Maybe it was a mother with their child....Moments that just make you take pause and want to take in what is happening. I LOVE when that happens......Today I dream for you the chance to encounter someone worth "watching". Someone that you can learn from or just be in awe of.....Have an amazing day my friends.....