So for 15 days now my team and I have been serving at an organization that provides 24/7 care to orphaned children with special needs. It’s such an awesome place to be. The campuses in the city where I live serve about 60 children ages 4 to 25+. Their complications range from blindness to autism to cerebral palsy and everything in between. These are young people that no one wanted. They were found left on buses, in garbage cans, abandoned at hospitals, etc. Being an orphan in this country means that you have no father. Without a father, a man to go out and earn money for you, you, your mother and your siblings will most likely starve, even in this community-based society. If you have a physical or mental disability it is 90% likely that you will be left to fend for yourself or die. Some of the people I have the pleasure of working with are mobile while others are not. Some can engage in conversation while others simply moan and coo. Some write with their hands while one writes, plays, and eats with her feet. Some have been there for more than 7 years and some just arrived a few months ago. Even with all these differences, there is one thing they all have in common, they are incredibly loved and cared for by their ayahs (caretakers), nurses, physical therapists, special education teachers, cooks, security guards, foster sisters (6 month volunteers from the States), administrative staff, my team, and, most importantly, God.
Here are a few of their stories:
- Judah* is an 11 year boy whose Telugu (local language), English, and sign language skills are phenomenal. He pretty much runs the show in the room he shares with 7 other boys. Judah enjoys delegating tasks, running up and down the 4 flights of stairs carrying messages, translating for the Americans, bargaining or arguing with tuk tuk drivers about prices, being swung in circles by his arms, and loving all over my teammates, especially Aaron and Briana. His smile literally lights up any room he enters, and he knows how to use it to get what he wants! LOL Judah sounds like any other 11 year old, right? Well, he is. Except for the fact that his mother was diagnosed with several mental health disorders and wanders the streets. She gave birth to Judah in the streets and some people in the community took him to the hospital. Because it was known that his mother has mental health issues, he was also labeled “mentally retarded” which placed him in the unwanted, untouchable category. The organization I serve was notified about him and soon thereafter they took him in. He has been thriving AND he is even in the process of being adopted! Judah will be going to live with his new family any day now. Praise the Lord!
- Jasper* is a 14 year old boy that has severe cerebral palsy and spends much of his time laying on a mat on the floor. That may not sound ideal to the average reader, or even to me, but Jasper doesn’t let that keep him from smiling. Yesterday while my teammates and I prayed and worshipped in his room I sat beside him on the floor and rubbed his arm. As I sat there and watched him closer than I had before I began to feel an overwhelming sense of familiarity. He reminded me of my Uncle Pete. Uncle Pete was one of my mom’s friends that lived a long life with severe cerebral palsy accompanied by speech and learning problems. Uncle Pete was one of the most joyful, fun-loving, sweet people I’ve ever known. He would laugh and laugh and laugh and smile and run the house like nobody else. Much like Uncle Pete, Jasper likes to be tickled and enjoys when someone takes the time to talk with him or sing to him. He’s such a ray of sunshine in what could be a desolate situation. Jasper’s face will forever be a part of my memory.
- On day 1, 6 year old Eleanor* stole my heart. There’s just something about her that grabs my attention and draws me to her side. Like Jasper, Eleanor has cerebral palsy, but in a moderate form. In 2011 she was found abandoned on a bus and was taken to the hospital. After being there for 1 day she was placed in a state orphanage, and then 2 months later she came to our organization. Her picture was taken and placed in the newspaper for several weeks but no one came to claim her. Although she is unable to actively play with other children, Eleanor sometimes watches them intently and makes eye contact. When you catch her attention she will smile sweetly, laugh when tickled, and engage with toys for a short time. Eleanor isn’t one of the popular children in her room, but she has captured my heart fully. She’s very observant and likes to eat pomegranate. We sing together as she leans in for me to stroke her cheek, and she is learning to stand with assistance. Maybe one day she’ll be strong enough to walk with a walker. AND we even have the same birthday!
This ministry and its overseers are pretty incredible and they need our help to sustain the work they are doing in this country to “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless” and “defend the rights of the poor and oppressed” (Psalm 82:3). The children require $200/month to be fully sponsored. A few of them are, but most are partially funded or not supported at all. If you would like to learn how you can help, please leave a comment below and I will email you specific information about becoming a sponsor for a child. Please keep the ministry and children we are serving in your prayers.
*Names have been changed for confidentiality.
** We are not allowed to post pictures of the children’s face online, but I hope you enjoy these pics from our water balloon/bucket fight.
