Life at the orphanage
As if it was not enough for Maria to go to bed dog-tired every night , sister Mary would make sure they woke up as early as possible every single day of their lives at the orphanage. Four o'clock in the morning seemed to be the ideal time for sister Mary to howl at the hall entrance every day for them to start their daily chores. Some of them would wake up half dozed to grab their coats, gumboots and big hats to make the queue that would lead them to their duty fields. Sister Mary would carry a huge roster book to call and call out their names and the duties assigned to each of them.
She would make sure that everyone had left their sleeping chamber. Should anyone happened to be still asleep when everyone had already woken up, such individual would face the serious consequences. A long whip would land between their shoulders and they would regret they ever slumbered when duty called. There were still those who would cry when they were called to cut their sleep short at such early hours. There was nothing they could do except to follow the orders. Sister Mary meant business and she had no time for sluggards as he would say.
One morning Maria had overslept. She could not hear when sister Mary rang the bell. She was exhausted and she slept late the previous night because there was one toddler who was not well. He was crying the whole night and when she tried to calm him down he would scream making it impossible for her to sleep. By the time the toddler managed to sleep it was already the early hours of the morning.
She was still dreaming when she heard a sharp voice calling her name. "Maria Sunday! M-a-a-r-i-a-a", the voice called. "Mother", she answered in her sleep. The voice called again and she jumped when she realised it was already the time to wake up. She was still feeling sleepy when a whip stroke infront of her. She jumped and fell on the other side of the hall. Before she stood up sister Mary was behind her. She ran down the hall way and to find the exit. Sister Mary gave her extra tasks that morning as a punishment. She was even late for school. She tried to go to bed early but the little boy she was looking after needed a special attention. He was still in breastfeeding when his mother passed away that is the reason he was her troubles, otherwise he was a sweet boy. Maria became attached to the little boy and he felt like she was his mother. He would even cry when Maria left for school.
She would feel bad when David ( the name of the little boy that was given to him as a Christian name by sister Mary) was crying. She felt really bad at times especially when she saw how sister Mary was treating then including the young one. The only thing she used to do when David was crying was to grab him by his arm and took him to another side of the hall so that he could not see when Maria was leaving. He would cry himself to sleep with no one to sooth him down. Sometimes Maria would cry too and when she planned to bunk school to take care of David she knew she would get a good hiding. "No one was allowed to mop around when it was time for school", sister Mary stated it clearly. Even if one if the kids was sick, sister Mary would take her medical aid bag and treat them and send the m off to school afterwards. It was not a hospital but an orphanage, she would point that out.
"Maybe it is the fact that sister Mary had never had children that she was so ruthless when it came to treating them", these were Mary's thought as she was carrying David in her arms. David was sleeping peacefully and was looking innocent. "Poor thing", Mary thought to herself. He is an innocent child and he doesn't know nothing about the circumstances he is living in. He needs to be loved that's all", Mary would even find herself talking to herself because of the pain she was feeling. She wished her mother was still alive. She would raise David as her own and Mary knew that for sure. Her mother was a kind and generous woman although she was not a devouted Christian while sister Mary on the other hand was cold and ruthless. "Maybe this was the reason her father did not want her mother to go to the church. He did not want her to meet the likes of sister Mary", this was what Maria thought sometimes when she saw sister Mary's character.
Twinkle twinkle little star!Life at an orphanage became too much for a little girl like Maria. Besides being an early bird who always woke up at four o'clock every morning, there were other challenges. She was used being a mother to the younger orphans especially the sweet David. She loved watching him getting cuter every day. She realised that one day she would make a great mother. That is what every woman is raised to become, a mother. When things got out of hand, she would use her mother's advices. "A woman has to be strong for her family", she would say. Sometimes she would find herself praying. She did not know any much about prayer but she heard that God answers prayers. Even sister Mary would urge them to pray every night before they sleep. Now that they were attending church services every Sunday, she learnt some few things about faith.Sometimes she would pray for God to give her strength to finish her studies so that she becam
Karma paves the wayMaria's duties were extended to the kitchen. She was among those who were making sure that a big black pot of porridge was boiling and ready to be served at six o' clock every morning. The children would make a queue for the porridge and at seven o'clock they would leaving for their classes. Maria and other girls would was the dishes and sweep the floor before they were off to school. When the school was out they would rush to dish up for everyone. They would serve a plate of samp and a small portion of veges. Most of the time some kids would want more as the food was not enough. They would get scolded by the hot headed sister Mary.One day Maria got a good hiding by giving an extra plate to some of the children who were asking for more. Her plate was taken and she went to bed in an empty stomach. It was stressed that no one was allowed to get an additional amount of food no matter what the circumstances were. So, she learn
Karma will pave the wayMaria woke up quickly and made up her bed. She just folded the blanket, rolled the mattress and grabbed her coat and gumboots. She put on the big cowboy hat and it made her look like a shepherdess. Sister Mary gave her an axe to chop some wood so that she could be able to make fire. The big black pots were already filled with water to cook the porridge. She chopped the woods with trembling hands. It was so freezy and the frost was covering the surface of the ground. Her hands were frozen and it was difficult for her to continue with the chopping but she had no other way to avoid her duty.Tears started to roll down her face as she was struggling to continue with the chopping. Her father used to do that when her mother was about to make fire. Now it was her who was doing all that work. She knew if she took a long time to finish the chopping, sister Mary would be on her as there would be no porridge for children to eat before t
Not having everything she wished for was part of Maria's life but to take what did not belong to her was not the part of it. Her mother taught her very well that if she wanted something she should ask nicely so that she could be given. She knew very well that if she wanted something that was pricey and beyond her parent's affordability, she should wait until it was the right time for her parents to afford it or she would make a little effort to do a little work in return for a reward. She offer to wash her father's socks so that she would give her few coins. There were many things she would help with to win the favour of the elders. Sometimes she would fetch water for an old lady who was their neighbour. The poor old woman was living with her young grandchild who was only three years. Her mother left her to go and work in the remote city and she never came back. The old woman was struggling to do other household chores as she was feable and sick. So, Maria wou
The matchIt was obvious that Maria was not getting away from the snare of being pinned on being a thief. Everytime she opened her mouth, it seemed like she was putting herself in more trouble. Her tears were in vain. Sister Mary was not moved by her cracodile tears, as she( sister Mary) described Maria's crying. She was even tempted to slapping her but tried to control herself since other nuns were watching, not that she was shaken by the fact that they were looking at her but she was trying to act as professional as possible. Deep down in her heart she wanted to sort the matter by getting physical with the little girl who was already about to wet herself because of the pressure she was in."Not a fat chance, you are not gonna get away with this nonsense of yours", said sister Mary as she left the room. Everyone had no clue where she was off too. The only thing they were sure of was that she was not going out for a good cause. Maria f
The light Maria was lying in her bed later that day and was recalling all the events that took place earlier that day. Her heart was heavy with pain. She could not control her feelings when the thought of missing a chance to go to boarding school crept in. The tears were pouring uncontrollably and her pillow was wet. She missed her family. She missed being her parents's child. Most of all she missed being at home. They did not have everything they wished for but at least they were happy. She enjoyed being at home with people who loved her unconditionally. That was something she lacked and longed for at that particular moment. always heard the stories of children who grew up without parents and had to spend their lives being slaves to the relatives and their children. Her grandmother used to tell them the folk tales when it was evening after they had eaten their supper. They would sit around the fire listening to the fascinating stories her grandmot
Maria the care giverIt was a Sunday afternoon, Maria was just chilling in the verandah overlooking a well groomed park that was in the back of the orphanage. It was a warm Sunday afternoon and she was just coming from the church. She was wearing a flowered frock and sandals. Her natural hair was neatly combed and shiny. An alice band that matched her dress was neatly tied around her head. She was feeling beautiful, although the clothes she was wearing were not expensive. The dress she was wearing was from a bundle of clothes that were donated to the orphanage by the Red Cross Army. She chose it first because she was among those who were distributing the clothes among other orphans.The dress fitted her nicely and it showed her curves and figure. She was reaching an adolescence stage and some features in her body were starting to show up. She was starting to glow. Although meals at the orphanage were limited, there were organisations t
What happened to Sunday"Maria Sunday! Ma-r-i-a-a-a! A sharp hoarse voice followed by an echo, screamed at the far end of the hallway at St Paul's Mission orphanage. It was four thirty in the morning and sister Mary who was a matron at the orphanage was doing her routine check-in. She had a huge roster book in her hand and carried a large torch with the other. The hall was of gigantic size and was creepy too. It was an old church hall that was built in stones and has been there for ages. Some old members of the community were not even born when it's walls were erected. It has been serving the community for almost a century and was a plan of a first missionary evangelist ( father Michael Hendricks) who arrived in the community to be their spiritual leader. There were even rumours that the old hall was haunted by a ghost of an old nun who died of colon cancer many years ago. This former nun was a darling of the community and would visit all the members of the co
Maria the care giverIt was a Sunday afternoon, Maria was just chilling in the verandah overlooking a well groomed park that was in the back of the orphanage. It was a warm Sunday afternoon and she was just coming from the church. She was wearing a flowered frock and sandals. Her natural hair was neatly combed and shiny. An alice band that matched her dress was neatly tied around her head. She was feeling beautiful, although the clothes she was wearing were not expensive. The dress she was wearing was from a bundle of clothes that were donated to the orphanage by the Red Cross Army. She chose it first because she was among those who were distributing the clothes among other orphans.The dress fitted her nicely and it showed her curves and figure. She was reaching an adolescence stage and some features in her body were starting to show up. She was starting to glow. Although meals at the orphanage were limited, there were organisations t
The light Maria was lying in her bed later that day and was recalling all the events that took place earlier that day. Her heart was heavy with pain. She could not control her feelings when the thought of missing a chance to go to boarding school crept in. The tears were pouring uncontrollably and her pillow was wet. She missed her family. She missed being her parents's child. Most of all she missed being at home. They did not have everything they wished for but at least they were happy. She enjoyed being at home with people who loved her unconditionally. That was something she lacked and longed for at that particular moment. always heard the stories of children who grew up without parents and had to spend their lives being slaves to the relatives and their children. Her grandmother used to tell them the folk tales when it was evening after they had eaten their supper. They would sit around the fire listening to the fascinating stories her grandmot
The matchIt was obvious that Maria was not getting away from the snare of being pinned on being a thief. Everytime she opened her mouth, it seemed like she was putting herself in more trouble. Her tears were in vain. Sister Mary was not moved by her cracodile tears, as she( sister Mary) described Maria's crying. She was even tempted to slapping her but tried to control herself since other nuns were watching, not that she was shaken by the fact that they were looking at her but she was trying to act as professional as possible. Deep down in her heart she wanted to sort the matter by getting physical with the little girl who was already about to wet herself because of the pressure she was in."Not a fat chance, you are not gonna get away with this nonsense of yours", said sister Mary as she left the room. Everyone had no clue where she was off too. The only thing they were sure of was that she was not going out for a good cause. Maria f
Not having everything she wished for was part of Maria's life but to take what did not belong to her was not the part of it. Her mother taught her very well that if she wanted something she should ask nicely so that she could be given. She knew very well that if she wanted something that was pricey and beyond her parent's affordability, she should wait until it was the right time for her parents to afford it or she would make a little effort to do a little work in return for a reward. She offer to wash her father's socks so that she would give her few coins. There were many things she would help with to win the favour of the elders. Sometimes she would fetch water for an old lady who was their neighbour. The poor old woman was living with her young grandchild who was only three years. Her mother left her to go and work in the remote city and she never came back. The old woman was struggling to do other household chores as she was feable and sick. So, Maria wou
Karma will pave the wayMaria woke up quickly and made up her bed. She just folded the blanket, rolled the mattress and grabbed her coat and gumboots. She put on the big cowboy hat and it made her look like a shepherdess. Sister Mary gave her an axe to chop some wood so that she could be able to make fire. The big black pots were already filled with water to cook the porridge. She chopped the woods with trembling hands. It was so freezy and the frost was covering the surface of the ground. Her hands were frozen and it was difficult for her to continue with the chopping but she had no other way to avoid her duty.Tears started to roll down her face as she was struggling to continue with the chopping. Her father used to do that when her mother was about to make fire. Now it was her who was doing all that work. She knew if she took a long time to finish the chopping, sister Mary would be on her as there would be no porridge for children to eat before t
Karma paves the wayMaria's duties were extended to the kitchen. She was among those who were making sure that a big black pot of porridge was boiling and ready to be served at six o' clock every morning. The children would make a queue for the porridge and at seven o'clock they would leaving for their classes. Maria and other girls would was the dishes and sweep the floor before they were off to school. When the school was out they would rush to dish up for everyone. They would serve a plate of samp and a small portion of veges. Most of the time some kids would want more as the food was not enough. They would get scolded by the hot headed sister Mary.One day Maria got a good hiding by giving an extra plate to some of the children who were asking for more. Her plate was taken and she went to bed in an empty stomach. It was stressed that no one was allowed to get an additional amount of food no matter what the circumstances were. So, she learn
Twinkle twinkle little star!Life at an orphanage became too much for a little girl like Maria. Besides being an early bird who always woke up at four o'clock every morning, there were other challenges. She was used being a mother to the younger orphans especially the sweet David. She loved watching him getting cuter every day. She realised that one day she would make a great mother. That is what every woman is raised to become, a mother. When things got out of hand, she would use her mother's advices. "A woman has to be strong for her family", she would say. Sometimes she would find herself praying. She did not know any much about prayer but she heard that God answers prayers. Even sister Mary would urge them to pray every night before they sleep. Now that they were attending church services every Sunday, she learnt some few things about faith.Sometimes she would pray for God to give her strength to finish her studies so that she becam
Life at the orphanageAs if it was not enough for Maria to go to bed dog-tired every night , sister Mary would make sure they woke up as early as possible every single day of their lives at the orphanage. Four o'clock in the morning seemed to be the ideal time for sister Mary to howl at the hall entrance every day for them to start their daily chores. Some of them would wake up half dozed to grab their coats, gumboots and big hats to make the queue that would lead them to their duty fields. Sister Mary would carry a huge roster book to call and call out their names and the duties assigned to each of them.She would make sure that everyone had left their sleeping chamber. Should anyone happened to be still asleep when everyone had already woken up, such individual would face the serious consequences. A long whip would land between their shoulders and they would regret they ever slumbered when duty called. There were still those who would cry when the
The next stopThe military trucks were heading off to the location where the battles were taking place. They were deployed there to maintain peace and order. They were told that the rebellions were hunting down the victims even though it was already midnight. There were dead bodies and injured people lying around helplessly. The nuns and the volunteers from the red Cross army were there to give help to the destitutes and injured people with the help of the soldiers who were assigned to oversee the whole situation. The dead bodies were taken to the local mob for later mass burial. The children who survived the battles and were left without parents were taken to the Roman Catholic Mission where they were packed in an old hall as a safe house. The local organisations and the Red Cross Army donated food parcels, clothing and mattresses for the children to eat and sleep.Maria woke up in a mattress next to the two other girls. She looke