Today was my 13th, and possibly final, GV Romania orientation. The day was filled with the usual activities, as well as talk about the current situation at the clinic and what may happen. We will get more firm answers tomorrow night or Tuesday once Dr. Delia returns. She has been in Jerusalem since we found out the news, we suspect praying about the situation. Our team goals and characteristics had more meaning during this difficult time. While many of our team characteristics were the usual ones, they all took on a new meaning given the situation, and we had additions such as staying in the present and taking care of ourselves to be able to better take care of the children. Also honesty with ourselves and others, and understanding of each other during this hard time.
We visited the clinic for about an hour to see the kids. It was wild as usual, and gave Cathy, our sole new volunteer, a crash course in clinic rules and behaviors. We have a really great team to go through this time with, and luckily lots of past volunteers (and flexible new volunteers), as we may need to take on extra duties and responsibilities. Some of the children were shy at first, surprisingly including Alina, but they warmed up quickly. Last week Robin and I taught Alina to say "I am a U.S. citizen", though Mihaela reminded us that kidnapping would break the GV policy of not breaking local/international laws! There was also some question by volunteers about the border security of Romania :)
Tonight at 7 P.M, our team (joined by waiter, Ovidiu, and others worldwide), took a few minutes of silence to pray for the children and staff of the Tutova Clinic. Despite the news that we are hearing, we are trying to think of the positives this may bring. Such as, if we are able to start work in the facility for older children with special needs, there are many more children there that need help. Our work may expand and support even more children in this area. Hopefully we will know in the next few weeks if this will be a possibility.
We plan on bringing all our new clothes for the kids in the coming days, and possibly weeks, to make sure they get the chance to wear them! Tomorrow will be our first dress up party! We also discussed a possible sleep over at the clinic with hairdo's and nailpolish galore for the kids! And I'm sure that would be completed with bows and tutu's as well!
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2 comments:
Caroline,
Glad to hear that self-care is on the list of goals for this team. I know you have heard my speech on that a million times...but, it is essential, especially now.
On a lighter note, perhaps the producers of Toddlers and Tiaras would be interested in filming a Tutova segment?
Well maybe I'll pass it on to them! We do have the more beautiful babies/toddlers around!
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