Orphanage Visit
Wednesday we went to visit the Nanchang Social Welfare Institute. Although the girls were in foster care we wanted to visit the location that they were abandoned.
Upon entering the gates, Avery immediately became upset and frightened. our guide explained that the girls came here every month for doctor visits. Apparently, Avery didn't like these visit. She wanted out of there.
The orphange was nothing like we expected. It is a very cheerful, loving place. They have lots of toys- the kids play indoors and outdoors. They have classrooms set up much like a public school ( pre-K, kindergarten, special needs, and primary grades). The kids are very active and appear to be having a lot of fun. The nanny's were very loving.
In addition to the infant and toddler rooms, Holt has set up group home apartments. These are not like the group homes in the US. These are apartments set up by Holt in which they train and hire a couple to be parents to 4 abandoned children. these children range in age from 2-15 and are waiting to be adopted. Holt feels that it is important for the children to have a sense of what a family is like.
Holt also has programs set up for the older (18+) special needs women who were never adopted. They teach the women lfe skills. Right now they are sewing blankets, and knitting socks and sweaters. They sell the items to earn personal money to buy shampoo, soap, clothing, etc. It gives them a sense of independence. The work they do is beautiful.
Doug and I got in trouble by the nannys. They didn't feel that we have the girls dressed warm enough. I don't think we possibly could. When we got the girls, they were each wearing 5 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of socks, and then shoes. 22 articles of clothing altogether. I don't think I brought that many clothes!
After that we went back to the hotel. Sophie and Avery were emotional wiped out. We all slept for 4 hours.
The docotr came over after dinner. He prescribed an herbal cough medicine for both girls and penicillian for Sophie. They are doing much better. Sophie's infection is now gone and she's not coughing as much in her sleep.
Thursday we go to rural Nanchang.
Upon entering the gates, Avery immediately became upset and frightened. our guide explained that the girls came here every month for doctor visits. Apparently, Avery didn't like these visit. She wanted out of there.
The orphange was nothing like we expected. It is a very cheerful, loving place. They have lots of toys- the kids play indoors and outdoors. They have classrooms set up much like a public school ( pre-K, kindergarten, special needs, and primary grades). The kids are very active and appear to be having a lot of fun. The nanny's were very loving.
In addition to the infant and toddler rooms, Holt has set up group home apartments. These are not like the group homes in the US. These are apartments set up by Holt in which they train and hire a couple to be parents to 4 abandoned children. these children range in age from 2-15 and are waiting to be adopted. Holt feels that it is important for the children to have a sense of what a family is like.
Holt also has programs set up for the older (18+) special needs women who were never adopted. They teach the women lfe skills. Right now they are sewing blankets, and knitting socks and sweaters. They sell the items to earn personal money to buy shampoo, soap, clothing, etc. It gives them a sense of independence. The work they do is beautiful.
Doug and I got in trouble by the nannys. They didn't feel that we have the girls dressed warm enough. I don't think we possibly could. When we got the girls, they were each wearing 5 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of socks, and then shoes. 22 articles of clothing altogether. I don't think I brought that many clothes!
After that we went back to the hotel. Sophie and Avery were emotional wiped out. We all slept for 4 hours.
The docotr came over after dinner. He prescribed an herbal cough medicine for both girls and penicillian for Sophie. They are doing much better. Sophie's infection is now gone and she's not coughing as much in her sleep.
Thursday we go to rural Nanchang.
posted by Kate and Doug at 11:47 AM
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