For the friends we left behind

Some things change you forever.  Adoption is one of those things.  Visiting and getting a child out of an institution is another.  Leaving behind kids/ men who will live out the remainder of their lives there is one more.  Jeremy and I came back from EE a lot less naive.  Our eyes had been opened.  We realized in ways we never truly did how very blessed we are.  Our education system, health care system, our culture....  all providing things for Seth that he simply would never have received had he stayed in EE.  And while we breathe a sigh of relief for Seth and for all the other children being adopted, we worry about the ones who will remain behind that gate forever. 

Earlier this week, I ran across videos and pictures taken by an organization, Helping Hands USA.  The videos were of Seth's institution.  More particularly, his groupa.  To see those girls and boys in the very same seats, doing the very same thing they were doing eight months ago was both heartbreaking and eye opening.  Because I know that in two years, five years, ten years, twenty years they will still be there.  Doing the same thing.  While Seth starts school, gets better at walking, learns to be independent, goes to church, makes friends, learns to read, learns to ride a bike, swims, play at parks, graduates high school, goes to college, gets a job, gets married, has children, and lives out his happy long life, the boys and men still there will sit and do the very same thing they were doing eight months ago when we walked out the doors forever with Seth. 

Oct 2011:

June 2012:

Oct 2011:

June 2012:

Oct 2011:

June 2012:

And here's one more thrown in, because I want so badly for someone to go get this awesome little boy!

Oct 2011:

June 2012:

See?  Not much changes for them.  Life got way better for Seth when he got a family, but all those boys and girls left behind.....  nothing changes.  Since coming home, Jeremy and I have thought about those kids every day.  We've worried about them.  We've thought about things we could do to help them.  And then, one day last week, I "found" Helping Hands USA.  Helping Hands USA is a US non profit organization who visits this institution, taking them food three times a week and clothing as needed.  They operate solely on donations, taking none of the money.  100% of money donated goes to goods donated to these boys and girls in these pics. 

I asked Helping Hands USA (on facebook, by the way.  Please go "like" them!) what the kids are most in need of.  He said four fans for ventilation and four CD players.  Jeremy and I were in that institution in Sept and Oct.  It was stuffy, with little air circulation.  And the smells.....  well, you can imagine the smells.  Fans would make an enormous difference.  I can't imagine how hot that building must be.  It's made of bricks and bricks attract heat.  It's in the upper 80's in their country this week.  That building is like an oven.  Fans are not a luxury.  They are a necessity. 

See this awesome young man right here? 

This young man speaks three languages and has an amazing singing voice.  He sings a national anthem that made me cry every time.  He is often heard singing for the boys and girls in their groupa.  Their entire institution loves music.  A couple times a week, the music teacher comes to visit, and when he does, some of the boys will go out on concrete and dance.  Music is a big part of their culture.  Because of this, Helping Hands would like to also donate 4 CD players, one for each of the main rooms, including the room this young man is in.  The sounds in an institution are not always pleasant.  I'll leave it at that.  And there's not much to do.  A CD player would go far in keeping their minds occupied and entertained.  Having been in this very room every day for six weeks, I can attest that the sounds of uplifting music will brighten their lives considerably. 

To make this work, Helping Hands USA needs to raise $500 in one week.  They are visiting the institution on July 20th (next Friday) and want to take the fans and CD players with them when they go.  I'm asking all my facebook friends, my blog friends, my IRL friends and friends of Helping Hands USA to please consider a donation to bring very simple pleasures to our friends living lives we can't imagine.  Helping Hands USA prefers cash donations, because goods can be purchased in country a lot less expensively than if purchased here and mailed to them and the less money spent on mailing, the more can be spent to directly benefit those behind those gates.  Each cash donation is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt.  My goal is to see that $500 gets raised in six days.  Can you help?  I have 71 official followers of my blog and almost 500 facebook friends.  Together, we can do this!  Please, please help us!  Help us help those we left behind. 

This is Helping Hands USA's website.  If you click on it, it will take you to their paypal page.  If you'd prefer, you can also send a check to their Springfield Missouri office. 

http://givethemjoy.org/

Also, if you are on facebook, please go to their page and "like" them.  And then "share" them.  I've been talking with them for several days now and I love their hearts.  This is currently the only institution they are working with, and they love those they are serving. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helping-Hands-Usa/239641486137013?ref=ts

While we were at the institution, whenever visitors came, it was a big deal.  The boys were always thrilled for the break in routine.  The boys each have a photo book and they'd bring them to us over and over again, showing us the people who have visited them.  Visitors are a BIG DEAL!  Please know that if you choose to help, we thank you.  I thank you.  I know, first hand, what your donation will mean to those kids.  Helping Hands USA has said they will take pics, and I, of course, will post those.  Be a part of this.  Just $500 dollars.  Together, we can do this! 

One more set of pics for you, to re emphasize the power of adoption.  Of hope.  Of a family... 

Oct 2011:

July 2012 (home 8 months):