Those Smiles...

So yesterday we had our first day at the orphanage ...... and WOW. 

I didn't know what eye-opening meant until yesterday morning. 

The 3 of us went in the first van trip downtown at about 8:30. Once we got there, the guards let us in and we followed Mohamed into the building. We could hear many little voices in the rooms above us. Some of the caregivers, or nurses as they are called there, met our group in the hallway and separated us into the rooms they needed the most help in. Maj was in a room with 4-6 year olds, and Kelli and I were in a room with 2-year olds. They were all sitting at tables when we walked in and welcomed us with big smiles. 

It has been tough since that moment to understand what the nurses expect exactly from us because of the language barrier, but so far we have just kept open minds, been willing to do anything they need, and tried to communicate with broken English, French, a few Arabic phrases and of course gestures.

In the past 2 days we have helped in feeding and changing the little people, and bringing them outside to play. This is my favorite part of our time there, as we really get to interact with the kids, and learn more about their developing personalities. There is not much for playground equipment, considering all the groups of children there that come out to play at the same time, and there are no toys. It is amazing how much love and attention each one of the children need, and how they fight each other to get it. It is a draining experience but as everyone who has gone there before us has said, the most rewarding too.

At the end of the shift, I am constantly thinking about the kids- their smiles, tears, hunger, developing minds...

and also the nurses, for their strict, yet their sincerely compassionate ways. It really takes angels to do what they do everyday...