HIV/AIDS Orphan Care Ban Mitrathon

I've never visited an orphanage before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I assumed a small building with little to no space for a large group of kids. When we arrived the head of the orphanage explained to us how they functioned. There were 38 girls that were apart of the orphanage. Ages ranged from new born to 21 years of age which was shocking. I hadnt expected adults to be apart of the center. Although the center origanlly opened to care for children with HIV/AIDS, its open to any child that needs care. They also used to have boys but no longer do ( not sure why). The girls get a proper education and are taught many of the basics such as how to cook, clean and farm. Many of the girls actually lived in dorm rooms because they went to school far from the center. They were provided with money, food and clothing. Besides providing the essentials the staff provided emotional and family support by visiting them. They also make home visits to the people that have moved out of the orphanage and have familes.
For those that do have HIV/AIDS, the volunteers worked with the kids teaching them about the medications and importance of taking them. Again the they received emotional support because there's still a stigma here. There's a young girl that has HIV and has been dating a guy for a while. She was able to talk to some people from the center about how to tell him and eventually she got the courage. They're still together :)

There was lot of emotional support for these kids! Sometimes I think that takes priority over other things. I agree that these kids need food and shelter but without the emotional support they might function very differently. Although we'd like to believe otherwise, mental health disorders exist and many stem from childhood experiences.

The head of the center said most of the time they don't need volunteers to do anything except to "hold the kids" that come through. That statement really stuck with me.

Purvi :)