Orphanage

Wednesday morning, we visited an orphanage. 6 of us went (4 women, 2 men). When we walked in the door, several young children started yelling.

Galya: Do you know what they're saying?
Us: No
Galya: Mama, papa, they're coming to take us home.

<knife in stomach>

We spent a few hours with the kids and some of the other teachers who work at the orphanage. I'm not sure if it was state-funded but it looked like a nice place. I think they take good care of the children. We played airplane (and were told "Only men should pick up children. We feed them. Men lift them.") Fortunately, my lack of Russian was not a barrier.

One girl hasn't been adopted yet. Her mother doesn't have custody because she's a drug addict. She keeps visiting the orphanage to tell her daughter she'll be coming home soon. Her daughter keeps waiting and believes that she'll go home one day.

We've agreed to go back - at least 4 people will come and help once a week.