We visit an orphanage in Quito Ecuador

Yesterday was a special day in our hearts. One of those times you get to share something extraordinary – out of the blue.

Last time we were in Quito was more than 6 months ago, and we had met Jen. She has been working for 5 years at an orphanage “For His Children”.

We met here again at EFC on Sunday, she asked us to come along the next day to a celebration party. One of the children had been adopted by an Italian couple. They had been waiting 4 years for a child. He had just spent the last week with them, and this was “good-bye”.

It seemed every obstacle possible presented itself as we tried to get there. I am packing a parcel to send to Australia and it needed padding down one end. So we were told to go to a market and buy an Alpaca blanket. We got there – and no market.

So we took a taxi to town to where we were told were Artesinal (arty and traditional souvenir) stores were.

First, we got caught in a traffic jam. Then when we got there, well again – no store. We wandered around.

We found a supermarket and Explorason selected his favorite chocolates, marshmallows and other treats to bring to the party.

Then we found a wholesale poncho store, and we bought a thin poncho. Not enough padding and this box need to be sent tomorrow. So we found another store.  This time I got a blanket thickness cream poncho from llama wool – stunning!

Right, now for a taxi – no – no taxi. 15 minutes later with my son running up and down the road, we found one.  We found 6. But none wanted to take us that distance north out of town.

Finally, my son negotiated a great fare, and it was a super new clean taxi. Alas, the taxi driver had no idea of the roads north. Completely lost, stopped at a petrol/gas station and asks directions.

Thankfully he gets a knowledgeable guy. Then he forgets his change and drives back. Will we EVER get there?

He then tries to drop us at the main road. No way. I signal he must drive us to the home. He refuses to listen when I tell him to turn left. No, he sails on. Gets lost 2 more times. I was so frustrated. Finally, he listens when I tell him to turn and we arrive.

We meet Jen and have a 20-minute meeting about the beliefs, requirements, and general “do’s and don’ts”. We head down first and have a tour.

Now, this children’s orphanage is very well set out, and very clean. Hand sanitizers, and over booties for our shoes in the baby room.

Then onto the toddler area where there is the party. We meet the new happy family! The father, in particular, strikes me as a loving father. I watch as he engages with his new son.

I hope one day I meet a man that can love my son like that. It brings tears to my eyes as I see the love and happiness of both parents.

The party starts. My son doesn’t want to mix with the kids at first. He can’t fit in the little chair. He can’t communicate as he speaks little Spanish. He sits for the pic, then he is off on his own on the couch.

He needs some time to take it in. He is also overwhelmed as the kids come up and want to play and have no barriers and he is not used to that.

This home has a mix of special needs, and other children from all sorts of backgrounds in Ecuador.

This little girl loved to hug me and play with my hair.

This precious darling wanted to dance. Dance and dance. She loved to throw her whole body weight against me and try to swing up. My back, however, was not so keen!  She found me on and off throughout the afternoon.

Then my son lost his shyness.  He decided he wanted to friend this little boy. He was quiet and it took a little time.

Then he spied this little tiger! And they were off. Hide and seek is the same the world over.

They raced about.  His smile reminded me of the complete joy my son had at that age.

They spent the rest of the afternoon playing. Of course, he then wanted him as his new brother!

This was another little girl who would come up and just hug and dance with me throughout the afternoon.

I noticed the love, the happiness, the care, and the acceptance of all these children were given. These children are mostly waiting to be adopted.

FHC is not an adoption agency.  But they work with agencies who adopt out of Ecuador. A high percentage will be adopted within Ecuador which is great too.

As we said our goodbyes we knew we didn’t want to leave. Explorason asked if he could come back tomorrow, but the answer was ‘no’. It is too far out of town for us to do this every day.
But we plan on visiting other orphanages on our travels.

He asked if we could work with one for longer. I have already planned 2 for later, so. Yes’.
He was so excited.

This is their pet llama.  Unfortunately, he was wet. Very wet. It had started to rain, and heavily, as we walked out and had to find a taxi.

We finally found a taxi and we were wet! Now, this taxi had no idea how to drive to the center of Quito.

I passed him a map and realized he didn’t know how to read. I tried to tell him I would show him the way. He got n the radio and asked for directions. But in the end, he believed me, and 1.5 hours later, we finally got out of the rain-soaked traffic and into our block.

We walked the last block as there was a traffic jam. We found a clean local restaurant and bought dinner to take back to the hotel. It was $3. 2 containers that were enough for both of us for 2 meals each — for all of $3.

We arrived back, quickly changed to warm clothes and sat in our beds eating dinner. We talked endlessly about the children. About their lives. About abandonment, and why some were there.  We talked about adoption.  And we talked about how we love each other.

We are so glad we went.

If you would like to donate to For His Children, or like further information, please visit their website.
www.forhischildren-ecuador.org

or email them at
info@forhischildren-ecuador.org

If you would like to donate to our Random Acts of Kindness as we travel, please do so at the top right of this website page through Paypal.  

We try to bless many people as we travel who have special needs, who are poor and needing help.  We met this lady in Quito on Saturday and she was actually quite filthy.  We helped her put things in her bag, and gave he money someone had given us to share with the needy. She tries to sell lotto tickets to make money.  Surviving with no arms is not so easy in South America. The social system is not like Australia. So it is nice to help.

 

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