One Week.

Wow. One week and I will be on a plane to India. I am in a bit of disbelief. I have been busy lately writing my exams and finishing up University (I am officially a grad now!), moving back home to my parents' house and searching for jobs (ideally something in refugee services or international aid). Actually, I am scheduling this post to go up on Saturday, but am writing it on Thursday and am leaving soon to head to NYC for the first time with Chris in celebration of graduation! Life has been busy with a lot going on, but it is starting to set in thatI am leaving for India. SOON.

I am going to be working with Sarah's Covenant Homes for 4 weeks, and want to learn as much as I can about special needs. Some of these kids really need some extra TLC in order to thrive, and Sarah mentioned a few names to me of kids I could focus on; April, Sam, Barnabas, Molly, Susan, and Promise. I went on her blog and read about these kids, and my heart just broke for April. This is what Sarah had to say about her:

I gave April her nickname because it means "open" or "opening" and it makes you think of flowers in spring. April does not like to be touched at all. She is entirely blind (no eyes) and entirely in her own world--she and her thumb, which she sucks almost 24/7. She won't allow herself to be held or loved on. My prayer for her is that she will learn that it's safe now to open her heart and let others into her world. I just hurt for her. Isn't she darling?

My hope is that maybe, if I spend a little bit of time with her every day, I can help with Sarah's effort in having April realize that she can trust others. Like at any orphanage, the kids get very little one-on-one time and kids like April are often overlooked. I have realized that one common belief of people going on humanitarian trips is that they will 'change the world' and make a huge difference when they are gone. I realize that going to India to work with these kids for one month is not going to change their lives. They have Sarah and Theresa who have devoted their lives to these kids, and still they are suffering. It would be naive of me to think that I could just waltz in and give these kids all that they need. But I do hope that I can make some small differences; being an extra set of hands for Sarah, giving some kids a little extra TLC, and maybe opening April's heart a little.

But if I have learned anything from my past experiences, I have learned that these kids will change me more than I will change them. I just want to learn about their needs, see how I can support Sarah, and enjoy the PRIVELEGE of getting to spend time with these 82 amazing children who have lived through more than I could imagine.

There Is No Me Without You

There Is No Me Without You is a book written by Melissa Fay Greene, mother of nine, some of whom were adopted from Ethiopia. This book is an amazing story of HIV/AIDS in Africa, and the generation of orphans it is leaving behind. The book tells the story of Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian widow who opens her door to AIDS orphans.

I laughed and cried when I read this book; it touched me deeply and I knew after I read it that I needed to go to Ethiopia to see this first hand. A year and a half after I read the book, I was re-reading it on the plane to Ethiopia. While I was unfortunately unable to meet Haregewoin, I was able to visit one of the HIV/AIDS orphanages, AHOPE, that Greene writes about in her novel, and since then I feel like I have a much better understanding of the disease and those affected by it. I credit this book to inspiring me to go to Africa, and I know there are many others who feel the same way, as Greene’s novel has inspired countless parents across North America to adopt children from Ethiopia, and simultaneously has played a role in breaking down stereotypes about HIV and AIDS. The author, Melissa Fay Greene, can be contacted at mfgreene1@aol.com. She is pictured below with her family.

A friend of mine whom I began communicating with through blogging, Erin Henderson, is a mom of twelve; 9 of whom were adopted (4 from Ethiopia), and 2 of whom are HIV+ and came from the orphanage, AHOPE, that I visited while in Ethiopia. Erin has the following statement about HIV and AIDS written on her blog that I think everyone should read, as there are so many stereotypes and myths out there about the disease. Erin's blog is Full House, Full Hnads, Full Heart.

- HIV can NOT be spread through casual/household contact. HIV is not spread through hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing toys, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, sharing drinks, bathing, swimming or any other casual way. It has been proven that HIV and AIDS can only be spread through sexual contact, birth, breastfeeding and blood to blood contact (such as sharing needles).

- HIV is now considered a chronic but manageable disease. With treatment, people who are HIV+ can live indefinitely without developing AIDS and can live long and full lives.

- People who are HIV+ deserve to be treated with love, respect, support and acceptance as all people do. If anyone wants more info on transmission, there is great info on the Center for Disease Control website

So, be sure to read the book, and then go on to educate yourself a little more on HIV/AIDS. Project Hopeful is a great organization working with families who have adopted HIV+ children. Look at these beautiful, healthy kids- HIV is not a death sentence. And adoption is pretty amazing :) The founders of Project Hopeful are Carolyn Twietmeyer and Leslie Raneri, both of whose blogs I have designed with Blogs for a Cause. Carolyn and her husband have 13 kids, 6 of whom are from Ethiopia. Leslie is a single mom with two girls, both HIV+, one adopted from Ethiopia and one from Haiti. Carolyn is featured in the video below, about HIV+ adoption.