Hi guys this is Deepthi, my turn to blog.
Like every day, our day started with morning bells at 5 30 AM ( bells to wake up the village). Every body had their usual morning work outs in the morniing after which it was time for breakfast  and thee usual morning banter. As our day progressed, we were serenaded with songs from the local church. It was refreshing, of course I did not understand a word of it, but able to enjoy the music though !!

Later we went to chruch, prayer begun with songs and traditional dance where most of the Villagers participated. We were then asked us to introduced our selves. All of us tried our best to introduce ourselves in Swahili and sang in swahili as well, which was really great. Church servicce was a little bit prolonged (total of 3 hours) today.

In the afternoon we went through the village market on our way to the orphanage . It was an interesting scene watching villagers sell and buy wares- groceries, clothes, shoes, bags etc.,with others congregating for the camaraderie.It was great to watch. I was reminded of my childhood in India.

The llula orphanage program(IOP) was our next stop. The weather was awesome as was the story about the IOP and how it was started. It started with song of welcoming and dancing, which later involved us as well. They pride themselves in educating and improving the lives of the kids who they serve with majority of their children in the 1st quartile of their national exams. Of note, these kids share the same story with the children we have come in contact with through the week; with majority of the kids dealing with or orphaned by HIVéAIDS . The IOP operates on the largesse of its partners whose donations have now made them a smooth self sustaining operation (with numerous vegetable gardens, poultry, goat, cow and diary farms around town), with the kids trained in farming, stitching, art making etc to be self sustaining when they graduate at age 18. Young single mothers are also included in the outreach of the IOP.  It is wonderful to see what the organization is doing and achieving in the community. Additionally, most of the people who are working there were once orphans who trained from the institution. Living up to the mantra of the organization - creating a standard for better living and taking with one hand and giving back with the other.

Another beautiful day in ilula, happy and blessed to be here.

IOP has website: www.IOPtanzania.org

- Deepthi