I had mixed emotions about coming back to Australia. I was really ready to return to my family and boyfriend, but at the same time I didn’t want to leave the orphanage and the children. This was made worse, when some of the carers told me that they didn’t want me to leave either. I went with the mind frame that it was all about the children. Of course it is. You want to make sure they are being properly cared for and they are prepared to go to their new homes. I also had so many good times with them. Learning their little quirks, when they played, ate, slept, threw tantrums, and what made them laugh was exciting, interesting and fun. I never thought I’d come away feeling so protective of them. I never thought I’d come away being even more protective of the carers there.
During my stay, a girl I used to work with, posted an article about how some orphanages are being created, purely as a tourist trap. I don’t doubt that this happens because let’s face it, there are some horrible people in this world. Those people create a situation for children to live in and it shouldn’t be encouraged by ignorant tourists. It was a very informative article, just completely biased and very narrow-minded, not mentioning once that there are genuine orphanages that need donations and that are creating families.
What annoyed me most about this article though, was the fact that it had no mention of the many people who work at the orphanages with genuine intentions. I know, through my own adoption, that carers often remember every child, and they are very proud and over-joyed that they have grown up in families. However, in working with these ladies on a daily basis I saw much more. Their patience, their love and energy. Yes we had to discipline the children, yes I had to distance myself from them if they were becoming too attached, but they become so protective of the children, they aren’t just orphans, they are their children. If I had never gone to FFAC, I never would have seen the dedication that these ladies have. Which is the complete opposite of the people written about in this article. In exposing a ruthless and heartless act, it over-simplified a really complex situation that arises when a child has the misfortune of being abandoned. It generalizes the people involved; directors, social workers, carers and children. We are not so simple to be summarized in an article.
For me, this particular trip has been such an eye-opener. I’ve seen a child being taken by her adoptive parents, the reactions from the children left behind, families created by adoption return and be welcomed with open arms, the frustration of not knowing how much longer a child has to wait and not much progress in a system of red tape. There was also a young mother, who visited her boy monthly, knowing that eventually she’d never be able to see him again, but in doing so was saving his life.
I don’t regret a single moment and I would definitely do it again. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this possible.
Pi Saovanee; for allowing me to stay at the orphanage and taking me on trips around Bangkok and Thailand. All the lovely social workers; for helping translate between languages, teaching me Thai and helping in general. The carers; for being patient with me when we didn’t understand each other at all, plying me with fruit and taking such good care of all the children. My boyfriend; for understanding my desire to leave for 3 months to volunteer. My own orphanage and carers; for starting me on my life. Finally, my parents; for putting themselves in a terrifyingly vulnerable position, adopting a stranger and then loving me as their own.
My second chance at life, is the result of hard work, dedication and trust, which never would have been possible without Phayathai Orphanage and my parents.
Beneath The Hair 