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| Sister Maryola - Head sister of Kasisi |
This past weekend, we were blessed to have visited a Children's orphanage called "Kasisi ". Kasisi is an orphanage that currently has about 300 children. It is run by the Roman Catholic Church's order of nuns called "Little Servants of Mary Immaculate". This order was founded by a man named Edmund Bojanowski, who was a patron of orphans. I have to confess, before going there, I had my doubts about the service at the orphanage. The Copts here at St. Mark's that visited before me, were describing this place as "heaven". They continuously spoke about the the beautiful guests rooms, with the comfortable beds, and extravagant decor. Fady and I were not impressed by all the talk and we were going there determined not to utilize anything of what we heard about. Fady was going to do a day- clinic for the sick kids at the orphanage and I was going to help out as much as I could. The head nun, Sister Maryola, drove about an hour to come pick us up from St. Mark's. Her warm smile greeted us at 8:00AM and we all jumped into the orphanage's car and headed to Kasisi. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with more smiles. The love and hospitality that the sisters showed us was overwhelming. But it was not love just from the outside and it was not only directed to us as visitors. The love and fellowship of the sisters extended to all the children at the orphanage, and to all the staff--for the least to the highest of ranks. We felt a comfort and peace on all their faces that proved to us that the sisters' care for them runs way deeper than we could ever think. Although the children are provided with much love, that love is also balanced with a healthy amount of discipline (which in reality is the definition of true love). The kids had everything a child could want, from their own beds, to their own play rooms, play grounds, cafeterias, and mamas to take care of all their needs. But they also had set times of waking up, prayers, and readings. The children were not lacking manners, from the youngest to the
oldest (23 years old). They all showed respect to the staff, the sisters, to us, but most importantly in their dealings with one another. We realized that all of this was due to the amazing balance of love and wisdom that the sister's portrayed in dealing with the children. They treated each one as their own, without spoiling them and without lacking the love and tenderness that every child requires. Our experience at Kasisi cannot really be described in words. We have experienced love and service to the utmost capacity. Oh and the "luxuries" that all the Copts spoke to us before we went, doesn't even come close to the true treasures we've discovered there.
God-willing, there will be a clinic for these kids every 2-3 weeks. Keep us and them in your prayers!
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| Sister Maria (my right) and Sister Janina (my left) |
This past weekend, we were blessed to have visited a Children's orphanage called "Kasisi ". Kasisi is an orphanage that currently has about 300 children. It is run by the Roman Catholic Church's order of nuns called "Little Servants of Mary Immaculate". This order was founded by a man named Edmund Bojanowski, who was a patron of orphans. I have to confess, before going there, I had my doubts about the service at the orphanage. The Copts here at St. Mark's that visited before me, were describing this place as "heaven". They continuously spoke about the the beautiful guests rooms, with the comfortable beds, and extravagant decor. Fady and I were not impressed by all the talk and we were going there determined not to utilize anything of what we heard about. Fady was going to do a day- clinic for the sick kids at the orphanage and I was going to help out as much as I could. The head nun, Sister Maryola, drove about an hour to come pick us up from St. Mark's. Her warm smile greeted us at 8:00AM and we all jumped into the orphanage's car and headed to Kasisi. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with more smiles. The love and hospitality that the sisters showed us was overwhelming. But it was not love just from the outside and it was not only directed to us as visitors. The love and fellowship of the sisters extended to all the children at the orphanage, and to all the staff--for the least to the highest of ranks. We felt a comfort and peace on all their faces that proved to us that the sisters' care for them runs way deeper than we could ever think. Although the children are provided with much love, that love is also balanced with a healthy amount of discipline (which in reality is the definition of true love). The kids had everything a child could want, from their own beds, to their own play rooms, play grounds, cafeterias, and mamas to take care of all their needs. But they also had set times of waking up, prayers, and readings. The children were not lacking manners, from the youngest to the oldest (23 years old). They all showed respect to the staff, the sisters, to us, but most importantly in their dealings with one another. We realized that all of this was due to the amazing balance of love and wisdom that the sister's portrayed in dealing with the children. They treated each one as their own, without spoiling them and without lacking the love and tenderness that every child requires. Our experience at Kasisi cannot really be described in words. We have experienced love and service to the utmost capacity. Oh and the "luxuries" that all the Copts spoke to us before we went, doesn't even come close to the true treasures we've discovered there. 
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