Ophanage Visit

Orphanage Visit
Sunday, September 02, 2007

Today I ventured out on my own for a little trip to an orphanage. I was really having mixed feelings about going since I did not know what to expect or how well the children would be taken care of, but I am so glad that I went and I can’t wait until my next visit.

My adventure started when I had to take the street trolley. I know how to get on, ride it, pay, and get off…but I didn’t exactly know where I was going. I knew which one to get on but I didn’t know how far to ride on it and which stop to get of at. That was the first hurdle I had to jump. I finally showed the trolley driver the email from the person in charge and he figured out that I should get off on the last stop.

I met some people at the stop; they were Western and were going to an orphanage so I knew I had the right group. I recognized a couple of them from previous group outings, although I did not know them well or anything. We chatted until it was time to go.

When we got to the orphanage I saw children just hanging out everywhere. I didn’t expect them to be locked up, but I didn’t know what to expect. It was great. We had brought things to make Filipino shaved ice so we got to work. As we set up, more and more children came around. They were so interested in what we were doing, just like any child, haha.

They children were so cute! They all looked healthy and well taken care of. The building and the people working there were great too. Everyone seemed to take so much pride in their job and they loved these kids. I was worried about what the children would look like (healthy or not, etc.) but I had nothing to worry about. I think I might have more to fear in America.

After we made shaved ice, we ate and played for three hours. We played outside in the hot sun; we played ping pong; we sang karaoke; we played video games. Of course I have a very limited Japanese vocabulary so I could not communicate too well, but I do know many words now and I was able to figure some things out. Also having been in the nursery schools was great for me because I knew many of the Japanese games that these children knew.

The children were fascinated with our cameras and wanted to take pictures. Others wanted to have piggy back rides. A three year old ran up to me and flung his little body into my arms when I waved to him. He just hugged and hugged me and wouldn’t let go. I have a picture of us but it’s on someone else’s camera so I’ll post it later.

I am so glad that I went today. These children are just precious and they need some extra love in their lives. These are not all children who do not have parents; there are some children who have been taken away from their parents for whatever reason. Being there with them, cheering them on while we played games, was something that touched me.

A little Madonna for the kids.