Child Registration Updates – near completion

March and April were busy months as we worked at both Kogoya and Thuchila Hope Centers to update nearly 600 child registration records.   This was quite an undertaking at Kogoya, as updates for the sponsors had not been done since 2005. My, how they have grown!

Here is our child Tawina at 6 months old. This is our official 
sponsor picture (circa 2005) with a water spot on it that lovingly 
hung on our refrigerator for 7 years in Fallbrook!

And here's Tawina at 8 years old in the new official sponsor photo, circa April 2012!

Here was the registration process:  The hope center staff sent messages to the villages via children and village committee members. The guardians were notified to arrive on a specific day with their child.

We averaged about 50 children per day, spending about 15 minutes with each child and guardian as they answered about 20 questions on the form.  Examples:

• With whom do you live in your house?
• Do you have any health issues?
• What is your prayer request for your sponsor?
• What do you do for fun with your friends?
• Why do you like coming to the Hope Center?

The hope center facilitators would ask the questions in Chechewa, and write the answers down in English. The purpose of collecting the information is to keep records on the children onsite, such as details on their health, school, home life, etc. The secondary purpose is to provide some qualitative information to send back to the sponsors in the U.S.

Titame and Christopher (Kogoya facilitators, sitting at desks)
record the responses from the children and guardians, (kneeling on floor).

Kogoya Director, Raymond, does his best to get more details 
on the registration form from a shy boy, Fisher Mtawali 
(centered, with head down) -- sponsored by Marcy Burge).

Once the form was complete, the children would come to us at a photo station. We’d sit them down at a desk, fix their collars, button their shirts, position their hands and say “SEKELERA!”  This means “smile” or “laugh”, and the children were eager to please.

Here are a few examples of the photos we snapped. Don was in charge here, and I think he did a job worthy of Olan Mills!

Olive Maloya (sponsored by Sonja Smit)

Lemson Sitepe (sponsored by Dick and Pat Feldmiller)

After the photos were snapped, the child would be ushered to the “drawing” station, where they happily drew a picture for their sponsor.  With detail and pride, they each drew a picture of their house as well as a picture of the people living in the house with them. 

In the pictures below, you can see the diligence and focus as each child concentrated on making a perfect picture for their sponsor in America.  You will enjoy these immensely! 

Lojenzo Beyard drawing for her sponsor, Kathy Rose

Madalitso Msembe smiles for his sponsor, Kelli Rice

The children were curious about each others’ pictures, making it a 
group effort and helping when needed!

What can you do?  Sally Fox has returned to the states for a few weeks, and is seeking help with data entry on the new registration updates.  You can reach her her: foxyafricanmama@gmail.com.