Ecuador.

EVERYONE! alright so i went to Cuenca Ecuador to serve in several orphanages. It was such a huge blessing. I am home now, but I wish I could go back. Here's some words about my experience:

            While I was away I was in Cuenca, Ecuador. I went with a woman I’ve known for a very long time that founded an orphanage there. I went as an O.S.S.O (Orphanage Support System Organization) volunteer. When I left I knew I was going to help children, however, I didn’t know that they were going to help me more than I could ever help them. While in Cuenca, I worked mainly in two orphanages in the city, and did several shifts in; a daycare for children who’s parents work 12-14 hour days in the fields just to earn ten dollars a month, another orphanage in the mountains, and a shelter for sexually abused girls and teens. Some of my jobs were to bath, feed, and watch the children. In all, I helped about one hundred children.

            In the O.S.S.O orphanage there is a section for severely, mentally and physically handicapped people/children. This was my favorite area. Most of the individuals in this unit can’t move their lower half, and some only have motion in their facial expressions. On my first day I was very nervous. I had no idea how to take care of these people. Some of them were older than I was. I didn’t know how to accept them. After my first shift I was positive that they were the most amazing people I had ever had the privilege to meet. It was them who accepted me. They have no families and constantly have to depend on strangers, yet they were so happy. No complaints, no fussing, just honestly stoked on life. It made me feel so horrible. I could not believe some of the complaints and demands I make in every-day life. These people have next to nothing and terrible health. Some are solely relying on feeding tubes in their abdomen to keep them alive. The orphanage has inadequate medical supplies and still does what it can with what it has. They are the true definition of happiness to me. The people of this country understand the difference between, “I want” and “I need”.

            One of the Handicapped boy’s stories truly astonished me. After hearing it I broke down in tears. Everything about the kids is so heart breaking yet so hope-instilling.vThis boy, Brayan, is about nine years old now. He has absolutely no movement in anything but his head and face. His body is deformed and he is bent and curled in unimaginable ways. As a volunteer I am not allowed to know his specific diagnosis, but I was allowed to hear his story. When Brayan was a small child, still one or two, his parents lit him on fire and left him in a dumpster to die because his condition was too much for them to handle. The police found Brayan barely alive and got him immediate medical attention, then took him to the orphanage. When I heard this I could not believe any human being in the right mind could do such a thing to a small child- to anyone. Brayan is surviving on a feeding tube now, and doesn’t have much time left- a year, maybe two. This story sounds terrible to you I’m sure, but to me it was ten times worse. Because I personally know this boy. I have put blended food into is feeding port. I have bathed him and dressed him in his P.j’s, his Sunday-best, put him in diapers. I’ve woken that beautiful boy up in the morning, I’ve held him. I tickled him and watched his big brilliant smile. I kissed his cheeks, I put him to bed, and I gave him love that I didn’t even know I could experience. This is only one of the people in this unit. One of 8, one of one hundred that I’ve helped. All the stories are equally heart  breaking. We call them “handicapped”, but I honestly think all of us “normal” people, are the ones with disabilities.

            I worked with children with better health too. But not by much. Most of the children have rotting teeth, snarly hair, and no sense of hygiene. It’s not their fault, they never learned and don’t have the supplies they need in order to keep clean. This doesn’t make them any less loveable. During my work I have contracted fleas. Yes I know that is pretty gross but it was completely worth it, and doesn’t even bother me. I am clean now though and have taken care of my clothing. My point is, I have so much that I’ve taken for granted. We all do. This was the best thing I have ever done with my life. I’ve fallen in love with these strong, beautiful warriors. These small examples, my adorable little blessings. I hope to continue to do work like this.