Malaika "Angel" Kids Update

Hello Everyone!!!  There is no greater program for CTC than Malaika Kids.  For you who do not know is the handicap children's day care.  There have been so many developments and I wanted to highlight a few.  Just some feel good stories and some smiles from the kids.

My little buddy Dan!!!   He's the one with the huge smile, and really that is all he does.  SMILE!!  He has very little motor skills and cannot speak, stand, sit or eat on his own.   But he is the light of the program.  He is pretty proud in that picture.  Dan learned how to hold his hands in his pockets recently.   He was so excited to show me yesterday, laughing and moving his hands to prove to me he can do it.   I mean what else can anyone ask for but having pride in simple accomplishments.  

I also included a picture of Benson in his new chair.   The little chair was simple treat that not only helps Benson improve motor skills but also feel good about himself.  Benson grew up not getting off the floor much also.  He is severely mentally impaired which tended to hinder his motor skills.  Before coming to the program his Mom could keep him in a room and he would not get up.  Now that is not the case.  He can nearly walk home on his own now.  Of course we don't let him :)  He also dances now.  Every morning the children have a sing along and who is the leader, Benson.  He kind of does a hop, spin dance that is very much his own.  I recently brought a few small chairs that were donated by a Kenyan family, the Verwiels.  They also donated the desks I will talk about in a sec.  THANK YOU!!!!  Well, Benson LOVES his chair as you can see.  He will now sit in the chair all day, sometimes randomly getting up to hop around.  It really helps him to feel more mobile and not be in the same position on the floor all day.

The last picture is the older children in their NEW DESKS!!  Before they would hunch over on small tables to do their class work.  I installed them early this week and when they arrived for class that morning it was as if they had just woke up on XMAS morning to new toys.   George, who is in the photo, was hopping around, dancing really, laughing about his new seat.  I think for the first time they really felt like they were in school with proper desks.  Again, such simple improvement but mean so much to these children.  It's wonderful to see parts of life that were basically unattainable to them, achievable.    These 5 children, Mike is missing from pic he was sick that day, are now reciting poems, learning to write and read.  Numbers, addition all the good stuff about school.   So exciting to watch.