March 10th, 2010

Another long, tiring day down, and only one left to go. We started at about 8 today, wo we took our sweet time getting ready and eating breakfast. We arrived at Leslie's orphanage at about 830. It's so awesome how the kids have the volunteers that they've bonded with and wait, looking for her as we arrive. I haven't stuck with one kids at any orphanage because I'm afraid I won't be able to leave him/her. Today, this little guy, Jerry, wanted to stick by me. We swung together, colored, kicked around a ball, etc... We did some group circle games which were a blast and got the kids up and active. Then, out of nowhere, a talent show developed. One of the bigger boys got a drum and kids took their turns singing, dancing, and rapping. It was awesome. Jerry was called up to do his little dance. What a doll! Then, the sun was getting hot, so we relocated to a shady area and played musical chairs and a game similar to duck, duck goose. After those games, we did an individual game where 2 kids had to race. They were blindfolded and about 50 feet away there was a package of crackers dangling from a string. They had to walk, find the crackers, then open and eat them with no hands. Even the spectators loved this one! Jerry asked the teacher for crackers, then was a little snot once he got them. He made noises of satisfaction as he ate them, laughed because the other kids didn't get any, and basically bragged. The snottiness didn't stop there! Another little girl wanted to sit on my lap, so I made room for both of them. He was trying to stop her from getting up, then they got in a pinching fight. For the next hour, they were just at each other. Just as they settled down, they were called for showers. Ugh!
We were lucky enough to get to come home for lunch today, and Rebecca needed to run errands. So we got a break that was more than an hour long. Of course, I napped. It was just what I needed. After break, it was on to Gertrude's for one last visit. Gertrude's orphanage is the special needs place, but big things are going on there. There are construction crews in and out fixing the place. She has a generator to even have electricity...but needs these batteries for it. All of us volunteers pooled together enough money to buy her 6 of the 8 batteries she needs. They are 130 USD each.
The kids that aren't in wheelchairs do not treat each other kindly like they do at Leslie's. They hit and take things from each other all the time. There's one little girl that we call the Queen Bee. She has little gold earrings which makes us thing she might belong to one of the workers. She is the bosiest little girl ever. If I have a kid on my lap and she wants to be there, she'll snake her way up until she's confortable. Or she'll just demand the other kid leaves. When we got crayons and coloring books, so many kids tried to hoard crayons. It was stressful and a little chaotic. In these situations I grab a child or two and go off to the side to color or play with them away from the chaos.
On our first visit, this orphanage was my favorite, and I now realize it's because they have the most "stuff." But, the kids don't behave, they don't have a schedule, and there isn't a lot of space to do anything. All the opposite at Leslie's. They have NOTHING, sleep in tents, but are sooooo sweet, pray before and after meals, have a schedule, and have so much fun with one another. That truly goes to show how unimportant STUFF is.
There are so many flies around Gertrude's, and I can't figure out why. I don't see trash or dirtiness anywhere, so I'm not sure what it is. It's so sad that the flies land on the kids heads and faces and they's so used to it, they have no reaction. It seems like the handicap kids have flies on their faces constantly...it's such a sad sight.
There is this little guy, Jonata, that I was playing with today. He's always in a baby play seat, so I was holding him, then decided to walk with him. He was so excited to walk holding on to both of my hands above. I was so proud of him...I bet anything that this was the first time he's walked outside of his baby jumper. Later, we sat and were coloring and playing. He keping trying to get my attention when i'd look away, and he would call "momma, momma." He did it over and over again. It hurt so much...I can't be his momma...and he may never have one!
Around 4 it was time to go. This was our last visit to Gertrude's. As we were leaving, a girl from Texas was arriving for a 2-week stay. She said they adopted her sister from this orphanage and have helped them ever since. What a great story!
As we got in the truck, there was a little old lady in a tent that looked desparate for anything. We had some leftover water pouches, so I suggested we give the rest to her and the 2 boys with her. Michelle agreed, since she paid for them. Well one of the girls had to comment on my "bad choice," just as usual. This happened to be my last nerve. I really got angry at all the little comments that follow whatever I do or say. I quit smiling and immediately kept to myself. I started to cry at one point just because I couldn't take it anymore. Why am I being treated poorly by the girls that I thought I would get closest to? What did I do to offend them? I kept to myself and waited until we got home before letting off some steam. Whitney asked me what was wrong, so I do give her credit for trying.
Once we got home, Michelle immediately asked me to go on a walk. She's feeling similar treatement from someone else, so we both needed to vent. She is so amazing. I adore her. After dinner she told me that the girls had asked about me...she kept it simple and said I felt a little ganged up on. She said they seemed remorseful and knew what they had done. I'm glad it wasn't a big shocker. The fact that they knew they upset me makes me think possibly they are sorry.
It's 745 and I get to use my calling card at 9. I can't stop looking at the clock. I'm gonna call Dad first, then John. I'm so excited to have more than 2 minutes!!!