On Friday, I had a school meeting with teachers and parents, so I was a little late getting to Beautiful Gate and my friend,Terp, arrived before I got there. I decided to go on a hunt for her because I had not seen her for 6 months, but I was intercepted by one of our staff who was admitting a new child. The new child is an older girl, maybe 4ish, and her mother is not well so she needs a safe place to be while her mother heals. I like when kids come to Beautiful Gate for that reason because it is so wonderful that we can provide a safe and loving environment for children whose parents are too sick to care for them (I do not like that parents get sick only that we can come alongside them in a tangible way). Then when their parent is feeling better, the child can return home and enjoy being with their healthy parent.
I helped decide which home to place the child and we brought her to her new home. I think we accidentally scared her a little because then Terp and several other volunteers happen to come into the home and the girl was frightened by our loudness as we greeted one another as well as fear from our whiteness :) She went to the Basotho staff and was comforted and we all gave her some space so she could adjust to her temporary home.
I did not see the little girl yesterday, but today I stopped by playgroup and she gave me a big surprise. Several of us volunteers went to playgroup and we all were chasing kids and letting them tackle us. I had a few who were having me chase them and then this little girl circled around my waist and wanted me to chase and tickle her. She was smiling and laughing and stayed by me for quite awhile. I had such a nice time with the kids today but it made me feel very special that this new little girl decided that I was trustworthy. It must be so strange to be in a new place with strange people and yet, because the other kids trust us volunteers, she decided that we must all be safe.
Hoping that other new kids will be able to adjust well and feel safe like this little girl and I am once again thankful that God has made a safe place like Beautiful Gate for kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment