power rationing and rewards chart

Since I have been in Kenya there has been water rationing going on. This is where they turn the water in certain areas on at certain times so everyone has water tanks to hold water for the days it is not on. Well now they have started power rationing. This is the first time they have done it and will continue to happen until the rains more and they have more water to run the power plants (or something like that). Normally they turn the power off from 6am-6pm three days a week and then on Saturday morning. However, yesterday it was off all day and all night and still off when I left for work this morning! Ah!! I don't so much mind it while at home because I just read by flashlight and eat dinner by candlelight, but I hate it when I can't get on the internet which makes me feel awful and so addicted to communication with people back home! Ahh!!

As for the kiddies I have deemed myself a new job at cutting their nails once a week! Ah they grow so fast!! With the older kid the other volunteers I work with started a rewards chart this week and it is working very well. We are working on positive reinforcement and teaching them manners. They are learning very quickly what actions earn them a sticker on their chart so behaviors are looking up!! The good thing is that the "moms" are getting into it too! I hope it can continue. Its so good to hear them say 'thank you' and apologize when they do something wrong to another kid, etc. The first reward is face painting so hopefully that gets to happen tomorrow.

We are still waiting on paperwork and things to go through on some of the kids being adopted but Elijah and Cyrus went home on Monday and it was a sad day for us volunteers because Elijah was def one of everyone's favorites. Gloria came back for a check-in visit and it was good to see her happy and doing well. Patience is now the only one between 1 1/2 and 2 years old so we're trying to give her some extra loving!! We tried to do finger painting with her but she was a little too unsure with the paint. She does, however, looove bubbles! She always goes "WHOOOA" when we start to blow them. The babies all love it too and if they all start crying to just blow bubbles and everyone calms down- some days it is the only thing that will make Jennifer stop crying! Johnathon is getting better with walking and even can pull himself to stand up which is so exciting!! He loves to put his head on the babies and give them love but sometimes he can get too rough so we gotta watch that. Okay I think that's all the baby updates for now! :)