A visit to the orphanage

As a little disclaimer... there is a lot of jadedness and cynicism of all the harm done in the name of help when it comes to development. For me, this little one-day visit to the orphanage came with being keenly aware of the – well-intentioned – harm that volunteers can do, especially those that swoop in-and-out on such a short timeline. Volunteering abroad in developing countries - especially in orphanages - is maybe even more than 'development' at the end of those pointing fingers... and yes sometimes, for good exploitative reason, making a zoo of the poor and feeling good about ourselves.

I know the circles of discourse and criticism.. but I have to say, honestly and impressed-ly, that HOPE does development well - and volunteering well too. They have a solid approach of humble, local, community-led, sustainable ways of reaching the poorest people with basic needs that enable families and whole communities the opportunity to make a real, sustainable journey out of poverty to self-reliance. Sometimes that includes care for orphaned children that sets them on new paths of life and opportunity, like for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. And HOPE's UNION overseas volunteer program happens in the context of learning and serving alongside people who know and trust HOPE, alongside ongoing local work and genuine commitment to improving whole communities. More about that later maybe. :)

Anyhow, this orphanage in the town of Pursat actually isn't a HOPE project, but the HOPE staff know the local orphanage well. And it is a legitimate place where orphaned children - otherwise left alone - are cared for and have a place to call home. We shared just a little bit of time and smiles with them.

Basketball with Adam!

Poi with Kat!

Seeing how much the kids in the village loved Kat's poi, we actually bought something like 100 tennis balls or something like that, and (after a long hunt!) found coloured ribbons at the market make our own poi - tennis balls on the end of a string with colourful ribbons hanging off the end that you can swing around and make designs with. I'm not sure how many sets we made.. 50ish maybe? All I know is that we sat and punched holes in tennis balls and pushed string and colourful ribbons into them for a long time one night!

But, it was definitely worth it... the kids LOVED them!! We left them behind for the kids to keep at the orphanage.