Orphanage Trip

Yesterday, I made the decision to make a very long trip to spend less than an hour at the place that saved Becky's life - her orphanage. For context, as recently as 80 years ago, these places did not exist, and unwanted little girls were simply left to die - or worse. While the conditions can be described as spare at best - it is the place that saved my daughter's life - and we will be forever grateful to the staff there.


The day started with us finding out that it's not really a four hour trip but a five and a half hour trip (one way) when we got in the van and pulled out of the hotel parking lot - oh well - guess we were committed! Then, we discovered that the AC in the back of the van wasn't working (note about the weather here - think Mississippi in August - and then add more humidity & heat!). We got the SWI about 2.

The director greeted us along with the woman who had been at the civil affairs office when we got Becky. Becky looked at her, got a big smile on her face, and put the death grip on my neck. The director wanted to hold her and she refused to go to him. She wasn't stressed or upset at all - just happy to be with mom. She was also able to see one of her favorite caregivers




We were not able to take a photocopy of her file, but he told us to take a photocopy of every page - so we have that. They also had 5 additional photos of her - and let me chose one to take with me!



We visited the playroom & crib room and took some photos for some parents who are waiting to come get their babies. This was the hardest for all of us - to see the sterile & institutional conditions that these babies are living in. I had to emotionally disconnect myself from it or I would not have been able to handle the sadness and knowing that only the week before, that is where my daughter lived. The good news is that all 29 babies we saw will be adopted.
The best thing about the day, though, was when we left on the car ride home (which took 6 1/2 hours because of traffic), Becky was a changed little girl. She was engaged, played with her toys a bit (which she has totally refused to do up till this point) and made better eye contact. I think that until then she was unsure of who I was & my intention, but when I took her back to the SWI, and then left with her, she understood that this is where she belongs now.