Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Call me crazy!

Call me crazy but I don't mind changing diapers. Especially when I get to change the diapers of these sweet babies.
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Today, like every other day when I go to Salomon Klein, I walk to the end of our street, wait for the J bus to come, pay 1.5 bolivianos ($.21) and take it until I see the abandoned lot with the black fence (since most of the streets aren't marked, landmarks are key).
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After walking a few blocks, I reach Salomon Klein- the largest orphanage in Cochabamba, Bolivia and one of the few that takes babies- home to over 170 children ages newborn to 6 years. Heartbreaking? Yes, very. My first day there I could hardly hold back the tears.
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Here's just a glimpse from the outside of the cloth diapers drying. Can you imagine how much laundry 60+ babies in cloth diapers and 110+kids go through per day?
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When I arrive all the babies are just waking up from their afternoon nap. After they wake up it's diaper time! Usually there are 3 of us changing diapers... and right now there are 27 little bottoms to be cleaned, but that number fluctuates from week to week.

All the babies sleep in the same room... there are many more cribs I just couldn't get them all in the picture.
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After they are changed, the older babies go outside and stay in these walkers for a couple of hours until it's dinner time. The little babies get bottles and then have playtime inside on a mat.
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This tiny play area is where the older babies spend most of the day. Next door is the where the 18-24month olds stay.
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Sweet baby girl... she wasn't sure what to think of my camera. She's usually pretty serious, but when she does smile it lights up the whole room!
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This sweetheart loves to dance!
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I love these precious little ones so, so much! I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to spend the time with them that I do but there's just one problem... I wish I could take them all home! Do you think they'll notice if I slip a baby in my purse?
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Today, I held the tiniest baby I have ever held and I fell in love all over again. I stood in awe of how God could create such a tiny, absolutely beautiful being and even though no one wanted this precious little angel He did and He chose to give her life.

and when I get home... this is what I find... priceless :)
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1 comment:

  1. Good day Penny! My name is Richard Elliott of the Friends of Salomon Klein Orphanage foundation in the USA. I was doing a web search and found that you helped contribute to the financial efforts for Mama Emma and the beautiful children at the orphanage! I'd love to hear about your mission and maybe see if theres a way we can help! My email address is richard@salomonkleinkidsfund.org.

    To learn more about our foundation and what we do, you can check out our website at www.salomonkleinkidsfund.org.

    Look forward to hearing from you!

    Richard Elliott

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