Ulan Visit

Note: Walter and Janet Varvel have remained for an extra week after the departure of the rest of the delegation. Janet had the opportunity to spend time with us on Thursday visiting the youngest children (3-6 year olds) at Ulan Orphanage.

Posted by Janet Varvel, Delegate

What does a jar of coffee and a room full of small excited children when the Interlink team arrives have in common? They are instant! When Sara walks in, the room becomes alive with smiles of anticipation. Some children run for their shoes, some for the tiny chairs lining the wall, some stand clapping with squeals of delight, but in the next instant they all run for the nearest set of outstretched arms, for the ritual time of hugs all around.

The kids at Ulan orphanage are a little scruffy today. We learn later that the water has not worked for two days, so the shabby clothes are also dirty. The room is spotless, like a classroom after cleaning, but this is the room 12 children hang out in. Tidy must be the main goal in life. At the end of the room the cord to the teapot hangs dangerously near the bedroom door where little cots in neat rows about a hands breath apart fill the room.

As outsiders, we try to fit in as fast as possible but the "team" goes right to work. Very quickly Kiikzhan is out the door with a ball, into the dirt covered play yard. Ember and Sara, also with a ball, form mini teams of one, two, or three. Sharing is a hard concept; it's every man for himself, but Sara is diligent in teaching about taking turns. Koolyash and I are at the bubbles corner and that is a hit for a few minutes.

The runt of the group is little Aida, in her dirty pink sweats. She gets held a lot and likes it. The teacher shows me the picture books of the adoptive family that will whisk away the little blond cutie in just a month. The American home looks like the Taj Mahal to them and they all seem excited about the adoption. Some of these children are mentally challenged, but in life they will all be challenged. They have very different leaderships from the orphanage we visited yesterday and it shows everywhere you look. Like little sparrows, his eye watches me, or for me?