In December last year I organized, with the help of some wonderful New Xade-ers, a Family Fun Day for our 71 orphans and their caregivers. The purpose of the event was really simple - to give the kids an unforgetable day of play and to show them, as a community, our affection and love for them. Many of the children were actually physically playing and laughing with their caregivers for the first time; the majority of these kids were used to "interacting" with their elders only when doing household chores or when being disciplined.

It's our hope that, after the Family Fun day, the village as a whole will do more to show these children just how precious they are. Just look at the photos below - and you'll see the kinds of feelings and expressions that, in all honesty, were unique to the day...feelings and expressions that we in the states might take for granted...=}