Many people who take a tour of he orphanage are asking me “ Where do the children go when they turn 18 years old ? “ I have to tell them that there is no plan. The government stops paying for them and the orphanage is really, really overcrowded. They have to leave. There will be a very carefully planned transition but they have to go. I always feel horrible to tell my guests this story and I long to give them a more positive answer. This week, the story will finally be different.
Tears of shock and disbelief. An almost 18 year old girl, who has not had an easy life by any means, graduates from college with a bachelor’s degree. Top of her class. She will be on her own in a few weeks because our orphanage has to say goodbye to everyone who reaches adulthood. Dreams about her future are just that. No family to support her. No safety net. A world she doesn’t know. She asked me to walk next to her at her graduation. To be her ‘padrino’. I felt incredibly honored, but I wanted to do more. I reached out to my friends. This is the day after. An incredible gift from extraordinary people. You can see it here : Tears of joy.
