Blog Entry
Posted by Loren Alldrin on December 27, 2009 to Adoption blog
(click any image to enlarge) Our Travel Group Here's our whole crew, with kids, on the top balcony of the guest house. Kids' Care Orphanage We visited the orphanage that first took Olivia in. Bath/Shower at Kids' Care This is one of the bath/shower facilities at Kids' Care. Laundry Day With no dryers and dozens of kids, clean clothes get hung everywhere to dry. Potty #2 Four identical stalls sit in an outdoor corridor. Take a number! Wow--this has been an amazing adventure, and we left Ethiopia knowing it's only just beginning. Our last day in Ethiopia started with a visit to the orphanage that first took Olivia in. Kids' Care orphanage consists of several old buildings that take up the whole lot. There isn't much room for the kids to play, but that's far less important than food and shelter. The rooms are mostly small and dimly lit. Clean laundry hangs everywhere to dry. Olivia showed us her bed, and got kisses from her nannies and teachers. The kids were mobbing us for candy, balloons and other gifts we brought. It was pretty cute to see Olivia and Naomi handing out candy to the kids, and profound to consider how little time has passed since they were in a similar situation. After a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at the orphanage (with popcorn, of all things), we headed out to one final lunchtime meal as a group. Then it was back to the guest house for packing and final goodbyes. It was hard to say goodbye to the new friends we had made in our travel group. What a wonderful group of folks, all eager to obey God and make a difference in the life of needy children. We took a group shot that morning overlooking Addis Ababa. By 4:30pm, ourselves and two other families were on our way to the Addis Ababa airport. Next up: heading home. Back to: Adoption blog We're Sorry to Leave Ethiopia, and Eager to Get Home
