While Orphanages are a thing of the past here in the United States, plenty still exists overseas. I wish I could take them all under my wing and support them as so many children need a loving and stable home. Sadly, these children have been separated from their biological families. Not sure what the circumstances indeed are that have led to the many children that end up in these orphanages, but no matter the situation, it is not suitable for the child. The parents could be deceased, substance abuse involved, or mental illness detrimental to the child. In some cases, the child is just abandoned.
If you were to ask someone what they believe what it would be like for a child to grow up in an orphanage, chances are they would not have a perfect idea as we all tend to live in our little world and do not think about these children. These children do not have a sense of permanency, as some were more than likely homeless before they came to an orphanage. I would imagine caregivers come and go, and that can be challenging for these children. I was once a CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate. I volunteered in the best interest of a child placed in foster care to advocate for this abused child to be placed in a loving home. I was with this little girl for two years. All she wanted was to be loved and to lead an everyday structured life.
Children living in an orphanage tend to live a structured life as I would imagine. With the number of children and the fewer caregivers, they all must stay on schedule. The children get up every morning, clean up and eat breakfast. Now, I would imagine it is not the same breakfast you remember as a child. I am sure they must ration food as they must make sure that there is enough food to go around. They must learn and do this all in a controlled way because they are working in large numbers. They share a room with many other children. I shared a room when I was a little girl with my twin sister. When we got older, we both had a room of our own. Imagine many children sharing cots in one room.
These kids have experienced some trauma in their life. Otherwise, they would not be living in an orphanage. Although people surround them at all hours of the day, I imagine it can be lonely for them as they are not their family. They long for a family. The children abandoned or left on the streets feel let down by adults, so they more than likely do not trust adults. I am sure they have a sense of self-confidence issue.
My mother was given away at just five days old, on a street corner in Pennsylvania back in 1936. She was one of the lucky orphans as she was put in the arms of a very loving couple. Since I followed through with my mother’s wishes and wrote her story on how she was blessed that day to be given to the Doyle’s on that day, I have opened my heart up to helping others. My mother and grandmother were both registered nurses and cared for the ill. I suppose understanding the life of an orphan or where they once came from and the impact, they may have on this world one day by helping them overcome some of their challenges is the first step in lending a helping hand.
I connected with Street Love Ministries several months ago. I have been chatting with Moses, who is one of the caregivers there. He is a young man who has had his challenges in life. I think we can all agree that we have our good days and our bad days, but after hearing what some of these children experience, it does not compare.
Moses touched my heart with the amazing stories of these resilient children that he cares for at Street Love Ministries. Moses was just four years old when a family in Australia sponsored him as his parents could not care for him as they did not have the means. He was with this family until 2006; then, he was sponsored by another family in 2008. Moses was so grateful for both families as they celebrated Christmas, birthdays and would pay for his medical. He was able to finish his higher-level education with the second family, although he could never go on to college as he had dreamed. Not to say that Moses did not miss his mother, because he did. He was able to go back to his village and see her. He has a deformity on his right hand that he was not sure what the cause was. At first, he thought it was cancer. He went to a medical facility in his village where they ran tests for cancer, and fortunately, it was negative. He then discovered that he had a scapula deformity and was taken to a doctor in Uganda. It was determined that he needed surgery, but it was pretty risky, and they decided not to go through with the surgery due to the severity. Moses has since learned stretching exercises through physical therapy and is now coping., as every little bit HELPS!
There are so many orphanages that need your support, and I know we all have choices. Whatever you can donate can go a long way to help a child in need. I commend anyone’s efforts in doing so. When I see some people who have made it their life’s mission to take on an orphanage, I say kudos, as there as there are s many vulnerable children who need help and support. Thank you for whatever little you might be able to donate! Again, thank you so much for your considerations. You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you!
Moses now lives in Bugiri District, where he wanted to give back by working for Street Love Ministries. Moses is 24 years old. He is an inspiration to all of us. Please take some time to reflect on this page to go through the many beautiful pictures of the children. The children need clothes, food, and books for school. Would you consider chipping in whatever you can afford? Whatever you can donate can go a long way to help a child in need!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/organization-street-love-uganda?
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