Little blessings
On a Friday morning a few weeks ago, I went to the local baby orphanage with a few of my friends from work for an hour before school. They'd started going during staff chapel time on Fridays, after our headmaster had (thankfully!) decided that we could organize small groups as an alternative to the increasingly weird main chapel services. I'd considered joining with the orphanage group but joined a book study instead.
I chose the book study partly because it was something that genuinely appealed to me and, honestly, partly because I'd been scared to go to the orphanage. It's overwhelming and I wasn't sure I could handle it--even though I knew how much extra help was needed.
There are six or seven babies per little tiny room and about one staff member to every 12 babies. They get attention when they're changed and fed, otherwise there just aren't enough workers to do much more. Some of the tinier ones are in metal cribs that look so cold and unfriendly to little babies. The babies don't have much in the way of toys, they rarely get to go outside and most of them don't bother crying very often because they know there's very little likelihood that someone can spare the time to comfort them, anyway.
Katie told me to just jump right in and find someone to hold. Ruben was laying in his crib looking around the room when I walked in. He broke into a wide grin when he saw me, and when I picked him up he instantly snuggled closer. I sat on the floor with him--there were no rocking chairs and very little floor space, as the room held five cribs already, as well as a bassinet. He seemed happy just to have human contact. His little fingers closed tightly around one of mine and he eventually nodded off as I rocked him.
After I put Ruben back in his crib, I picked up Nathaniel, who was already old enough to scoot around on the floor. He was at least a few months older than Ruben and kept twisting around so he could look at me. I walked into the hallway and stood with him by an open window. There was a nice breeze coming through and I could immediately tell that he liked the fresh air. He burbled a little at me and I made him laugh by counting his toes and fingers and tickling his tummy. I made up a story about an imaginary monkey living in the banana tree outside the window. While I talked to him, he listened solemnly, occasionally reaching one chubby little hand up to touch my face.
When it came time for us to leave for school, I put him back in his crib. He started whimpering and stretched his little arms up toward me, waving his hands. I promised him I'd be back very soon. It nearly broke my heart to turn around and walk out the door, leaving little Nathaniel crying to himself.
I decided at that second that, while I enjoyed the book study, this was something I needed to do instead. It's so simple--show up, occasionally help change a few diapers or feed a few babies, and just give some love. That's it. I only wish I'd gone sooner, but at least now I can make the most of the time I have left.
I chose the book study partly because it was something that genuinely appealed to me and, honestly, partly because I'd been scared to go to the orphanage. It's overwhelming and I wasn't sure I could handle it--even though I knew how much extra help was needed.
There are six or seven babies per little tiny room and about one staff member to every 12 babies. They get attention when they're changed and fed, otherwise there just aren't enough workers to do much more. Some of the tinier ones are in metal cribs that look so cold and unfriendly to little babies. The babies don't have much in the way of toys, they rarely get to go outside and most of them don't bother crying very often because they know there's very little likelihood that someone can spare the time to comfort them, anyway.
Katie told me to just jump right in and find someone to hold. Ruben was laying in his crib looking around the room when I walked in. He broke into a wide grin when he saw me, and when I picked him up he instantly snuggled closer. I sat on the floor with him--there were no rocking chairs and very little floor space, as the room held five cribs already, as well as a bassinet. He seemed happy just to have human contact. His little fingers closed tightly around one of mine and he eventually nodded off as I rocked him.
After I put Ruben back in his crib, I picked up Nathaniel, who was already old enough to scoot around on the floor. He was at least a few months older than Ruben and kept twisting around so he could look at me. I walked into the hallway and stood with him by an open window. There was a nice breeze coming through and I could immediately tell that he liked the fresh air. He burbled a little at me and I made him laugh by counting his toes and fingers and tickling his tummy. I made up a story about an imaginary monkey living in the banana tree outside the window. While I talked to him, he listened solemnly, occasionally reaching one chubby little hand up to touch my face.
When it came time for us to leave for school, I put him back in his crib. He started whimpering and stretched his little arms up toward me, waving his hands. I promised him I'd be back very soon. It nearly broke my heart to turn around and walk out the door, leaving little Nathaniel crying to himself.
I decided at that second that, while I enjoyed the book study, this was something I needed to do instead. It's so simple--show up, occasionally help change a few diapers or feed a few babies, and just give some love. That's it. I only wish I'd gone sooner, but at least now I can make the most of the time I have left.
posted by Erin @ 7:51 AM
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