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Those of you who have traveled to get your children-how was the care in the orphanage? I'm a missionary and have worked extensively in SE Asia, so I know the orphanages with dirt floors, animals wandering around, 70 children and one care-taker. . . . I've heard the Philippines has decent orphanages, though. And that they have foster care as well. We're really interested in this b/c we're considering a little older child. But if there is a huge risk of sensory and attachment disorders b/c of poor orphanage care, we're hesitant to go over age two. Those of you who adopted older children-how was their adjustment?
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Hello again,
Our daughter (we just picked up in May/June) was almost three. If you came to visit us, you'd never know she was adopted, or spent her first 2 3/4 years in an orphanage. She had no attachment issues at all, and most children coming from the Philippines are like this. They are well taken care of, and well loved. The orphanges usually have cement floors, and they are learning to take better care of their facilities all the time. There are housemothers in each age group, along with helpers that come in to help each day. So, for young babies and toddlers, there are 2-3 adults to 5-10 children. For older children there are about 2 adults to about 15-20 children. They eat a bowl of colored rice with some peas and carrots in it for every meal, and once a day they will usually get a small piece of pork, or a hot dog in with it. Then they spend the rest of the day sucking on little hard candies, and crackers. The children are not taught that "someday you'll be adopted". They are taught that God loves them, and this is your family. Then, if they are lucky enough to be adopted, they are very excited. There are very few animals wandering around, and we didn't ever see one on the orphanage premises.
Hope this helps a little!
Jen
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Hi, sure!
She, and my husband, lived in the Hospicio de San Jose orphanage. It is the oldest, and the largest orphanage in the Philippines. It is right in Manila. If you'd like to see a picture of it, and read my husbands story, you can find it on our website [url]http://orphanage_fund.tripod.com[/url]
Jen
My family and I (husband and two bio kids, ages 7 and 10) are in the last stages of adopting a sibling group from the Philippines. They are 2 sisters (7 and 13) and a brother (11). We will soon have a big family.
We were involved in a program last summer called "Summer Miracles" where a group of orphans came to our small town to participate in summer camp activities. The unspoken goal was to find homes for these older children. They stayed with us for 4 weeks and by the end of the time, they really liked us, and we wanted them to join our family. I know a month is a very short time but we knew early on that it was what we wanted.
Please don't shy away from older children; our experience has been wonderful. I do think, however, that it does matter what orphanage the children are from, especially if they have spent a great deal of their lives there. Our children have been in their orphanage over 5 years but it is well run and staffed with good educators and house parents. While not a family, they have been well cared for and educated. In fact the 7 year old girl can type and read better than my privately educated bio son!
We hope to travel early next year to pick them up.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Our home is in montana and montana is our Home,
LB