Today was the last day at our home base orphanage. We began the day meeting with parents and children that will be attending the newly opened rehabilitation center. Not only was it beneficial to speak with the parents, it was encouraging to see the orphanage therapists engaged in the sessions, taking notes and sitting on the mats with us. There was an equal balance of concerns for each discipline to address, so it was a very busy mroning with the individual children.
One very special case was a child who had contacted our translator earlier in the week because she had heard we were in town through friends. She lives 10 hours from where we were working. We asked if she could send video to assess, to save her a trip but she was determined to make the trip to see us. The little boy was so sweet and each discipline was able to contribute what we hope is valuable information for his care. She was very grateful and said all information was not something she had ever been told.
In the afternoon we got a chance to get back in the orphanage rooms. We returned to the room where we briefly visited yesterday to give more information and fit braces. Again we were encouraged by the attentiveness of the therapist, as she took notes on all we said. We were able to request to see children that we had seen on previous trips and they willingly escorted us to visit each child.
We completed the day by sharing tokens of appreciation with the director and his wife. We brought lab coats (standard uniforms for orphanage staff) with their logo monogrammed. The director was so pleased and could not change into it quick enough.
We've enjoyed our time so much here!! It has been a productive and encouraging trip. We look forward to getting home and sharing our experiences, and planning our next trip to see all of these amazing children again!!
comments powered by Disqus