Day Seven: The reason for it all

For some Friday merged seamlessly into Saturday.  

For others the process was a little messy,  but at 1000 bags were packed for the last time. Its quite a military enterprises getting ready each day, packing day packs and suitcases. On this final occasion there was no need to carefully segregate the fetid pile of dirty cycle gear from the clean clothes. Washing machines back home be warned: you don't know what's about to hit you!

Our faithful bus takes us to the centre of the town and the Bogyoke Aung San Market where we have an opportunity to stroll, barter and shop.

After coffee and lunch at a very civilised coffee bar,

 we board the bus to visit the purpose of all our our fundraising, sweating and endurance: the Hosanna Children's Home.

 Wearing our Hope Asia t-shirts we leap off the bus in the middle of a busy, dusty suburb and are met by Pastor Va.  He walks with us to the home and we can immediately see the results of the generous donations we've raised: the perimeter wall, nearing completion.

 (The Pastor later explained that when the home itself was built - by hope Asia two years ago,  the impression was that the community were wealthy,  so need the extra security.)

It was a moving two hours of singing,

playing and reflection on the love and security these children receive, when otherwise they would have had such a blighted future. I was struck by Pastor Va's words, encouraging them to work hard so they can go out into the world to become teachers, doctors lawyers. The youngest child, a toddler of two in a little yellow vest runs round to each of us handing us cool water bottles. He was found abandoned in rags by the side of the road.

Our time was all too quickly over.  High fiving and shaking hands we reluctantly say good bye,  and board our bus to make the short journey to the airport.