BSSK

Today we went to BSSK Orphanage. Although they dont call it an orphange. They call it A Childs First Home. And it really was. It was deeply touching to be there and see the work and care put into this facility. And they don't have much to work with. They are not funded by India, and they like it that way because, as the woman told us, the red tape and restrictions put in place if they asked for funding would be completely not worth it. They have some flexibility being private, but it is hard to find funding. They have three branches that house children and the main office is here in Pune. They have about 10-12 adoptions per month. These are children found abandoned, or who are considered disabled (either mental, physical or HIV) and their families cannot care for them. Most of the babies are surrendered by unwed mothers because it is so shameful and in some places illegal to have a baby out of marriage. There were 11 newborns at the facility we visited. they were so teeny tiny and i wanted all of them. One thing i found very awesome is that they have a fairly new foster care program ( about 20 families) and they place the infants in the homes so that they develop proper attachment. Within the facility they try to staff one person to four babies. It is hard to find staff because the shifts are so long and most positions are volunteer basis. The children go up to age 6 and from there they go to school and are moved to another group home. The children with disabilities are very hard to adopt out. They wait for a spot to open in a care facility, which is hard to get into. Most of them spend their lives that way. In the room that had the babies ages 3 months-1.5 there was a little boy scooting around on the floor whos hands and feet had not developed, so he had little flippers. He came and stood at the low gate that closed the room off from the hallway and i had to stop and visit with him. I bent down and was loving on him and he put his little flipper up around my arm and i melted. he was also crying a little, i imagine it was kind of scary for him. I wanted to take him home immediately and i cant stop thinking about him. I cant imagine him not getting a home. There are a lot of beggers ive seen who do not have hands and feet like him. Maybe he was abandoned. I am going back when i have a break after the retreat to volunteer. I will learn more about his story. And of course love on him.
I'll try not to get attached. It's less than 1,000 us dollars to adopt here. Except that they use an agency for international adoption and of course that makes it outrageous. I think that is so stupid! I want Deborah to be a foster home and i will come and stay here forever and take care of all the little babies and send them off to the most loving homes. can you imagine?

It was hard to visit only because these sweethearts should be in a family. But it was also so beautiful to see the amazing work and love and care available to them. This place really is run like a home. Its clean and well laid out, it felt nothing like an institution. the children ran about and the were constantly being held and touched and tickled and loved. the Director, Roxanne, told us how they are aware when one of them gets adopted, that they see the couple come to pick the child up and they ask " whos mommy and daddy has come". They have the concept that out there is their family and they will come and get them when its time. But its joyful. At no point did it feel like the children were sad about their circumstances, they simple had no awareness that it should be any other way. And considering the conditions they could be living in, this is as good as it gets.    

Its time to make Lunch now. The power went out in the womens houses this morning and it was quite entertaining to hear how uncomfortable they were with that. I am observing a lot here. We did a Chakra balancing meditation last night and then the lovely woman who read it talked to us for a long time about them. It was a whole in depth look at the chakras that i have never heard before. talking about balance and how the energy moves and blockages and how they show up in our lives. It was affirmed that I am a really very well grounded person. Each day i take in something new all on my own and my love and appreciation for who i am and how i live and show up in the world is deepening and growing. I am beyond grateful to be having this experience.

okay, Lunch!!




                   Kunchok and i putting together fruit baskets for the children

                    This was the only picture of the Orphanage i was allowed to take