Our first day on medical, we got to do two things. One of them was especially unique. We visited a special needs orphanage in a distant village. The term orphan is loosely used for abandoned children as well as those whose parents have died. Children with special needs, like leprosy, carries a social stigma which causes one or both parents to abandon their children.
In contrast with the kids at the school, these children don’t have frequent visitors and we felt privileged for the opportunity to spend time with them. It felt so fulfilling to spend the morning with them playing games, singing songs, dancing, drawing with crayons and enjoying each other.
Although we say children, the orphanage had individuals as old as perhaps 40 years old. But all enjoyed the children’s songs and games equally. Some were surprisingly social and intelligent and capable. We wondered why they were there.
Every day at dinner time we tell our highs and our lows. Our friends Sarah and Patrick made some poignant comments that emphasize our great privileges and blessings in America as well as the special talents that are innate in many of these children.
Sarah pointed out that these children are placed in the orphanage and their education is very limited. While these same children in the US are given IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) to enable them to get the most and best education possible for their individual limitations. In America these wonderful children are appreciated and accepted for their unique abilities and amazing love.
Patrick pointed out the beautiful creativity of one child when he spoke about drawing pictures with a crayon and watching as the child started scribbling on Patrick’s drawing of a car. After scribbling on the page, the child pointed out the window and Patrick realized he was pointing at a tree. The child then pointed at the paper. As Patrick turned the paper, he realized the child had turned his picture of a car into a tree. Everyone sees the world from a different perspective.
Each child was anxious to show us their special abilities and talents. One boy could slap his foot against the ground and make a huge noise. One little girl couldn’t get enough of showing Tyler her drawings. Another girl spent the whole time writing 1-100 out on her paper, over and over and over. What a joy it was to spend time with them!
The second thing we did that day was to get a little taste of helping treat the patients with leprosy. We’ll give details in another post.
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