Today when we arrived to the orphanage we could see that there was another couple on the third floor starting their bonding trip. We had the opportunity to meet them later in the day and found out that they are from Italy. Rather than crowd the third floor balcony we were told that we would be on the second floor balcony today. As we started to make our way up to the second floor to get T, we heard a voice coming from behind us yelling, "Mama, mama!" It was T tracking us down. I scooped her up and we headed to the second floor, which was a nice change in scenery. There was a picnic table and a couple chairs for us to sit on.
We asked our translators to just start the day with T and D (the Seales little one) on the balcony today. We wanted to have some one on one time. I took the opportunity of having a table and a calm setting to attempt some crafts with T. We made a bead bracelet together and attempted to make Popsicle stick crafts. That was a bit more challenging because the gusts of wind kept blowing our stuff away. It occupied her attention for a little bit and then she wanted to go downstairs and get friends. Specifically Sonia! We had already provided a list of kiddos that are matched with families from our agency that we wanted to spend time with today, so her friends would soon join us.
It seemed like no sooner did Sonia come to the balcony that T started to get sleepy on me again. She zonked out again and slept for at least an hour or more. She slept through all of the activity that started up on the balcony as we had more kids join us. At some point one of our translators let us know that the social worker would be coming to the orphanage today to complete our interview. (As part of our bonding trip we have to have a visit from a social worker and they interview us while T is with us. There is no real schedule and you don't really get notice ahead of time.)
We were nervous at first, but the social worker assured us not to be and said that he hoped it would be more of a conversation than an interview. We had our translator with us, so the social worker would ask a question, our translator would ask us in English, we'd answer and then the translator would share our answers back in Creole. Sometimes the social worker would ask us questions directly in English. The interview lasted about 30 - 45 minutes and T did a great job. She didn't get fidgety until the end and that was only because she saw kids through the blinds running around.
When we went back up to the balcony after the interview it was CRAZINESS!! Most of the kids had come back from school and there had been a shipment of supplies that came in while they were away. When they got back from school they were handed these pureed meals in a pouch. Let me tell you, those kids have some fun with that! Not only do they eat it, but also imagine the fun one might have with a squeezy packet and friends! It was almost time for us to leave and it was probably a good thing. Our French friend counted 45 kids up on the balcony when we came back!! Yikes!! That would not have lasted if we were there longer. Sensory overload for the adults, never mind the kids!!
When it was time to go T was sad again and shed a few tears. One of the older girls said something to her and took her for us. When we were in the car waiting for the Seales we could see the kids up on the balcony and T recovered just fine. She was climbing on the table and being crazy with her friends. Only four more visits with her until we have to say goodbye for a while. It will be a sad day!
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