Inside the Orphanage Walls

Last week I had the unexpected opportunity to visit some government institutions with a mission team we met. I heard they were doing work in some orphanages I asked if I could join for a day. As you may know, the work I am doing is focused on family based alternative orphan care. My heart is to move children away from orphanages and into homes and supportive families – through various avenues. In my studies I have come across many topics on short term missions and visiting orphanages. The need to be careful in the attachments we make with the children and that our actions don’t support “poverty tourism”. As skeptical as it sounds, you also have to go in with the realization that there is so much more below the surface than what you see and that not everything can be taken at face value. … there can be ulterior motives to the information you are given. 

That being said, I was hesitant to go to the orphanages, but knew I needed to see first hand what I was studying the “alternative” form. Ethiopia only has 3 government ran orphanages (all of which I visited), but over 70 privately ran one's in the capital alone. My time spent to the 3 orphanages was eye opening, and yet also so confusing. I left feeling more conflicted about what I believe and the opinions I hold. The situations were not good, in the slightest, yet I found that there were moments where maybe they were providing more than what that child would have otherwise. It puts a fire in my bones to work harder at the things I am called to, but I’m also grieved for the gaps and the children currently caught in the system. It made me reconsider how quickly I was dismissing the work of the orphanage. Yes, these kids too need so much love and care. How can we attend to their needs as they have found themselves in a place that they did not choose or deserve? At this point, I don’t feel comfortable sharing all that I saw and experienced at the orphanages. I don’t feel my words are worthy of expressing it all, and I also want to be careful with what I share about the kids I met and saw. 

I can say, I understand why orphanages are so fundable. Why people feel the burden to go and love the children there. I loved lighting up those girls faces as I blew bubbles, just like the person next to me. But I also carry in the back of my mind the weight of broken attachments as their little eyes look at me and she asks me again, “will you come back?”. What do I say? As I was in a small room with itty bitty babies all staring at the ceiling from their cribs, the smallest screams. I touch his soft arm and my heart is undone. We have to do something. We must do something.

Selam from Ethiopia

I wrote this earlier this week, but just now gotten access to wi-fi. More details on this week to follow:

When I stepped off the plane into Ethiopia at 7am, after almost 20 hours of traveling, I was hit with cold fresh mountain air. I was traveling with another Selamta volunteer and we worked our way through the airport to get our visa, exchange money, and find our bags through the crowd of people. Finally, we got outside where Abby (our volunteer leader) and Habtie (Ethiopian Assistant Director) were waiting for us. Driving through the city was a whirlwind of sights, sounds and smells. Addis Ababa (the capital) has over 3 million people living in it. Ethiopia as a whole has over 100 million people, with 50% of the population under the age 18 years old. 

Habtie and Abby took us to a quiet golf club for breakfast where we eased into Ethiopian life and then finally drove to Selamta, which is on the outskirts of Addis. We spent the day just resting as jetlag hit us so very hard. This weekend has been quieter, which has been nice to slowly adjust to life here. The culture is rich and the language thick. It is unlike any place I have ever been before. Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. They are also one of the poorest countries and considered heavily under developed.  

Saturday we helped a missionary friend organize and decorate the community center common area. Sunday we went into the city where we began the day at a coffee shop with the best macchiato, and then went to church. Afterwards we met up with another team serving here for lunch at a restaurant. After some time to rest we walked the muddy roads to family homes for dinner. I have eaten all sorts of new foods and drank many, many, many cups of coffee. Coffee is deeply integrated into the culture here. Every house or restaurant I have stepped into has served coffee or tea. It comes in small cups that pack a punch. I am loving it. Tea has come in many forms form just black, to spiced (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc) to last night’s cup being season with oregano. Yes, oregano. They also mix coffee and tea in their cups and someone even told me they make peanut butter tea. I have yet to try either of those. 

Ethiopia continually surprises me. Like how they like to sneak hot green peppers into everything. Or how after eating the traditional dish of injera the other night, we received freshly made French fries. And after those, we got popcorn. POPCORN!!!! They love it here. The first night I was here, I stepped out on the balcony and the streets smelt of fresh popcorn. Mid-plate of popcorn, the other team came to get us and I was so sad to leave the popcorn…so naturally, the mom packed up a bowl of it for us to take home. The hospitality here is unsurprisingly warm and kind. 

I’m taking in more than I can process. I have a hundred million questions for Abby always, but am trying to slowly learn and observe. Allowing space and time to adjust and settle. This week I am helping a bit with the summer camp they are having here at the community center to get familiar with the kids and staff, and to just make my presence known and familiar. Soon I will begin more official interviews, and I am so excited to talk to the staff. They are kind, hardworking, and intelligent. I know they hold a lot of wisdom and insight into this unique, complex and beautiful place.

Let's Go to Ethiopia!

Friends,
I can't believe that it is already time for me to go to Ethiopia. I take off early tomorrow morning (July 5). This summer has flown by as I have spent time with friends and family spread throughout Tennessee, Georgia and Ohio. I also have been working on my summer semester of school, and preparing for this trip. Because I am going to Ethiopia for academic reasons, it has been a much different process getting things in line. 

Let me give you snapshot of what I will be doing:

While I am in Ethiopia I will be visiting the organization Selamta Family Project. Selamta is an incredible organization that is working to end the orphan crisis through family preservation and unique alternative care solutions. Selamta works through both prevention and restoration by empowering families that are at risk of breaking apart, and recreating new, forever families. These families are created by pairing 8-10 orphaned children with a Selamta mother and integrated into the community.

"Selamta acts on the conviction that every child deserves to grow up in a loving, stable family. We believe it’s possible to end the global orphan crisis by implementing in-country, family-based, community integrated solutions focused on prevention and restoration of vulnerable children and families through intentional relationships with one child, one family at a time." (Selamta's Theory of Change)

 There is tons of helpful information about this organization on their website. Click here.  

Because the thesis of my program is on alternative orphan care solutions, I will be visiting Selamta to research their model and the elements that go into their work. This qualitative research will be done mainly through interviews and observations. Ultimately, this information will be used for my thesis and to help Selamta know how to share their model with other growing organizations. 

While there, they will be having an English learning summer camp, led by a couple US volunteers. I am sure I will help in this camp, or join along for fun.

Though I do not know many of the details of my schedule, I do know that I will be spending time with the families and children. My main objective is love and to learn. 30 days of opening myself up to soak in all Ethiopia has for me.

I am excited and nervous.

After many many months of reading, researching, theorizing and thinking, I have nervous energy bottled up, ready to get on the field to learn hands on and do something with all of this information. However, I am well aware of the reality that awaits me. Entering into broken (and redemptive) stories and facing the reality of this orphan crisis. I have a feeling that God is going to reshape some of my heart through this process.


Would you pray that I would make great connections, be open to learn and have productive interviews. Please also pray for transition and culture shock (and jet lag). Strength and endurance as I do school alongside my research.

Thank you!!

Now that you know a bit more of why I'm going, let's go.
Ready for take off.