Apartments near New Day
Alleyway near New Day
Communication Board
Sarah with Angela
Today, Sarah headed to the baby room to care for the sweet babies there. She has particularly fallen in love with Angela. She is adorable! We would love to take her home! She lights up when she sees Sarah come into the baby playroom and insists to be held by Sarah. Angela has club hands, but seems to not be held back at all!
I headed to the therapy room to begin working with Jenna on the picture board communication. We found out from her foster mom what foods and drinks she likes--coke, skittles and orange juice. So after running to the store, and having the right picture symbols, we were ready to give this a try. Well, Jenna was very into the Skittles! After just a dozen or so times of working with her, she independently used the card to request the candy! It was quite surprising for the therapist to see how she learned. Jenna is easily distracted, but with persistence and practice this maybe the way we can help her communicate!
After Jenna tired out, the therapists and I looked at the straw kit that I had brought. It was recommended to them by a Speech Pathologist that came here to New Day in January. I have noticed that there are several children that have motor disorders and this straw therapy could be a great help.
In the afternoon, Sarah and I were in the preschool. We used strung beads, had a snack and did music with them. The sweetest was seeing the little ones say "ready" with their hands held together to request another slice of apple.
Tonight, we had a yummy barbeque. Felt good to eat American food again. :) Sarah had a fun time playing volleyball and hanging out with a 12 year old girl (adopted from China) named Shauna. After a team meeting, we got ready for bed. Can't wait for The Great Wall and Pearl Market! We leave New Day at 7:30 and get back pretty late. Except for the getting up early, Sarah and I are getting excited!
I headed to the therapy room to begin working with Jenna on the picture board communication. We found out from her foster mom what foods and drinks she likes--coke, skittles and orange juice. So after running to the store, and having the right picture symbols, we were ready to give this a try. Well, Jenna was very into the Skittles! After just a dozen or so times of working with her, she independently used the card to request the candy! It was quite surprising for the therapist to see how she learned. Jenna is easily distracted, but with persistence and practice this maybe the way we can help her communicate!
After Jenna tired out, the therapists and I looked at the straw kit that I had brought. It was recommended to them by a Speech Pathologist that came here to New Day in January. I have noticed that there are several children that have motor disorders and this straw therapy could be a great help.
In the afternoon, Sarah and I were in the preschool. We used strung beads, had a snack and did music with them. The sweetest was seeing the little ones say "ready" with their hands held together to request another slice of apple.
Tonight, we had a yummy barbeque. Felt good to eat American food again. :) Sarah had a fun time playing volleyball and hanging out with a 12 year old girl (adopted from China) named Shauna. After a team meeting, we got ready for bed. Can't wait for The Great Wall and Pearl Market! We leave New Day at 7:30 and get back pretty late. Except for the getting up early, Sarah and I are getting excited!
This has been a difficult day too. These past few days our team has been running pretty hard in our jobs and so we are getting tired. The weekend break with touring is much needed. But tears flowed a few times today for me and for Sarah. On the day of our arrival, New Day had lost a little one to death, dear sweet Chase. So the staff had a memorial service for Chase today and the nannies gathered and planted a tree in the backyard as a rememberance. Sarah has been helping with the babies every day and has watched how fragile little Judah is. Today the nannies tried to feed him and he got sick to his stomach and then began to have a hard time breathing. The nannies rushed around the orphanage to gather his things and a get him to the hospital. This was quite upsetting for our team to see. Judah has a severe heart condition and no plan to treat him. Sarah and I had a good cuddle and cry tonight. Sucesses and tears today.
I saw about sweet Chase on the blog. It is beautiful that New Day loves and nurtures these children and makes sure they are not forgotten. No one deserves to die alone or without someone to mourn and remember them.
ReplyDeletePrayers for Little Judah. After coming from a society where everything possible is done, it is hard to hear that nothing will be tried. But I pray for peace for baby Judah, for New Day, and for all your team.
Love you all and think about you all through the day!!!