EriAm Sisters - Blog

Today was an extremely interesting day it was one of the first days of our time in Eritrea that we've been able to go out and explore Asmara. So on our free day we decided to visit the Asmara orphanage. Ever since we were little kids we would sell our toys at festivals and donate the money to the orphanage so we wanted to experience first-hand what we had been workking for. The second we walked into the grounds of the orphanage we saw kids waving, jumping up and down screaming “visitors” (gasha) in Tigrinia. We entered the room where the orphans from 2-6 playedand immediately all the kids ran to us jumping on us and grabbing our hands.

We had an amazing time taking turns singing to each other they sung “ABC” and “Semira, Semira” while we sung “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” “You Are My Sunshine” and some of our songs. Even though we had tons of fun bonding, talking, and playing with them, the real reason why they were there never left my mind. All the kids looked identical with their heads shaved bald and thinking about the reason why they were all at the orphanage made me want to cry. Once we headed to the nursery, where all the babies were held, it took all my strength to hold back my tears. There were rows of bare cribs and babies within them, one baby was only a week old. After talking to some of the volunteers we learned that the week-old baby boy was found in the trash at 3 days old and another child had lost an ear due to raccoons and animals rummaging through trash. Although the orphanage is doing all they can to help the children there is still a lot that needs to be improved. It was because of this that we have decided to do a benefit concert in Asmara where all the proceeds will go to the orphanage and in the future try to create an EriAm foundation. These abandoned children and babies need help and the only way they can receive it is if we work together and contribute.
We have sung a song called “Stand Up For Love” which to me is the perfect song for these children and children suffering around the world. You can listen to us singing to it on YouTube at <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRjH2YP7WkA>

Written By: Salina Abraham

Written On: July 26^th, 2010