Introducing.....

A number of the children I am getting to know here are sponsored by friends and family, so I thought I would find out a few more details for each of you.

Trisha - sponsored by Mez, Cath and the girls.
Trisha arrived at FFC when she was 8 months old in 2005. She had been abandoned at Tirupui (may not be the right spelling) Hospital and was placed with us via the Social Welfare Department. She went into foster care at around the age of 1, but her new mother didn't bond well with her and so Trisha came back to FFC and has been well loved by her family here ever since. She is an extremely gregarious girl whose sweet smile melts my heart everytime she aims it at me - which is often. She is very athletic and seems to be particularly good at soccer and throwing a ball. She loves it when I chase her around the playground, giggling and laughing when I catch her and throw her in the air; sometimes she just wraps her arms around me with an outpouring of love that only a child could give. Although hesitant at first, she quickly realized that she LOVED the Smarties in her gift bag.

Naveen - sponsored by my friend Eden's in-laws
Naveen came to us through Child Line in 2004 at the age of 4 having been abandoned at the gates of a theatre. I thought he was only about 4 years old when I met him as he is quite small, but everyone assures me he is 8 (Eden, the hoody was a bit big, but he'll grow into it). He is a very smart boy ("brilliant" in fact, or so I'm told) who listens to his teachers and is well liked by his school and house mates. He has been a bit shy with me so far, so I am hoping to get to know him better before I leave.

Surya - Sponsored by Marci, Rod and the Boys
Surya (pronounced Soo-ri-ya) is a very quiet and shy 6 year old boy. He is the oldest of 3 boys. One of his younger brothers is also at FFC with the youngest still with his mother. Surya's father died some time ago and his mother simply couldn't provide for all three children so she enrolled the two eldest with us. She comes to visit them when she can. Surya is also a smart boy and goes to school outside of FFC. He likes to play ball and was thrilled with the toy cars in his sponsor package. He had a tough time when he first came to us but has settled in nicely now and has become more outgoing with his house mates.

More introductions to come....

And Hoto... I'm afraid you'll have to rustle up your own dinner for a few more days.... I'm sure Marmalade Cafe is doing well by you.....