An Ayah, at Sarah's Covenant Homes, is a women that takes care of the children with disabilities. Below is a schedule of the day; not included on the schedule are diaper changes, water and snack breaks for the children, and other tasks that come up constantly throughout the day.
6-8
~ Wake up the children
~ Give baths
~ Dress children
~ Change sheets on the beds
8-9:30
~ Feed the children
~ Clean food off them
~ Put all the children on beds so the floors can be cleaned
10-12:30
~ Ayah's eat breakfast
~ Ayah's take showers
~ Put clothes away
~ Care for/interact with children
12:30-2
~ Feed the children
~ Clean food off them
~ Put all the children on beds so the floors can be cleaned
2-3:30
~ Quiet time- Ayah's can, do their laundry, comb kids hair for lice, etc.
*2-6:30 Physical therapist comes, so the Ayah's may need to help the physical therapist by working with kids on walking, sitting up, stretching muscles …
3:30-6:30
~ Snack time (4 pm)
~ Assist school kids in putting things away
~ Play time outside or inside
~ Organize rooms
6:30-8:30
~ Dinner
~ Baths (if needed)
~ Clean kids up
~Wash floors
By 8:30 all the children are in their beds or bedrooms.
Out of the 30 Ayah's that care for 82 children, about 15 live at the home to watch over them day and night Many of the children have certain disabilities that prevent them from taking care of any of their own needs which makes the Ayah's have a very tough and tiring job. However, the Ayah's always make sure to spend quality time with all the children and the Lord.
The Ayah's bring joy to me through their love for me and all the children. Even though we don't speak the same language and have a hard time communicating they are always ready to talk with us, sit with us, redo our hair, or be goofy with us. They show their love by greeting us with big smiles, a Christian hello -"Wunda-nalu" (Praise the Lord), pinching our checks really hard and kissing us. The Ayah's choose to walk in joy and love each day and it's inspiring for me to watch them work and serve the Lord in the way that they do. They have impacted my life!
