This past October, I spent time training college age students at a special needs orphanage in Hyderabad, India. All 100+ children were referred to the orphanage by the Indian government because they’d been abandoned or renounced by their biological family. Most of them had arrived in very weak conditions with significant medial needs. The orphanage then goes to work providing medical care, education, physiotherapy, nutrition and tangible love.
It wasn’t my first time working in an orphanage (here and here). But, it was my first time since I had Maximus. And, that changes things.
My heart has always struggled deeply with the plight of an orphan. The limited future that lies before them, the lack of intimacy and support they experience on a daily basis, the sheer number of questions that must swarm through their little minds. Do I matter? Am I loveable?
But now I carry images of my own little boy when I walk through those doors. I imagine him sitting amongst the 17 other children on the floor, vying for some attention. I watch him gaze into the eyes of one of the caregivers—mentally imploring her to lavish him with hugs and kisses. And I watch his face drop as the visitors (this time, myself) head out the door for the day…wondering if we’ll ever come back.
Here are a few of the beautiful children I got to help love while there.
Patrick: He has an unidentified syndrome that has caused paralysis to half of his face and his clubbed feet. He has the sweetest temperament and was learning how to mimic facial expressions as best he could.
Caden: He was only 2-months old and has “butterfly syndrome” where blisters form and his skin falls off when he is touched. He’s a fighter and promises to melt your heart immediately upon arrival.
Asha: She arrived at the orphanage malnourished, but has been busy growing her cute, rounded cheeks ever since! As you can see, she has the best smile on the block!
Maximus: Full of energy and dances to all kinds of music. No medical issues to date outside of a strong desire to put everything in his mouth in the hopes that he can eat it.
