Making headway?

Yesterday, I texted Agnes and asked her to come to the home for a talk... no specific reason, other than I hadn't hadn't had the opportunity to sit down with her in a long time, if ever. After a few hostile texts from her, with declarations that she hadn't done anything 'wrong', I had to laugh. We all know how emails/texts can convolute a dialogue, but this struck a funny bone. I simply wrote back stating that it would be nice to sit down, mother to mother.

When I got to the home the next morning, with a car full of supplies, Agnes was waiting. I opened the conversation about one of the boys, who I am deeply concerned about. He is 17 - angry, troubled and shifty. Immediately, she chimed in to support my assertions, so we discussed the best way to handle him, his temper and his mobster-style attempts to handle the rest of the children in the home. We compared notes, and I gave her very specific instances of his behavior during the last few weeks that have actually caused me to lose sleep. Agnes listened intently, for clearly, she was not aware of the extent of his troubles. I told her my main concern, at this point, is that he is going to hurt someone, and worse, get one of the girls pregnant - by consent or force. We discussed how a situation such as this could play out, and what the repercussions would be.

I left for a bit to collect the little ones from school - Agnes left to get lunch, and we all returned at the same time. For the rest of the afternoon, we sat under the shaded area with the children - chatting, beading, knitting and crocheting. The children were delighted by this exchange, though I did have to laugh at the reaction of the older ones when they returned from school and saw us having a nice time together. All the children fear Agnes, bar none. That we were sitting together peacefully and having a nice time together was nothing short of a miracle in my eyes, and scandal in theirs.

At the end of the day, Agnes told me that she was going to write up the contract I had requested; she appeared to understand the necessity of such a document, and did not balk as I expressed the urgency to protect my investment in the home, and the freedom to come and go as I please. She announced that I was now the Assistant Director of Nagolie, and when I am there, I am free to act in the children's interest without her consent. What really surprised me, however, was her declaration that should something happen to her, she is going to leave Nagolie Children's Home to me. As we both left to head to our homes, I thanked her and told her it would be my honor to take the home over when she deems this necessary.

For the most part, I have handled Agnes with care over the past 4 years. Giving her respect, whether she deserved it or not, has been difficult, frustrating, infuriating and often tear inducing. Yesterday, it felt like we met in the middle. While I am always cautious, it was momentous moment. Agnes, in all her pride, had shed a layer of her persona, and gave me an invaluable measure hope and faith that we really can work together for the benefit of these beautiful children.

Bravo!

More later, for now....baadaye :-)

With Love,

Simmie, Anne and Kanini