Vacation.
Just the word alone fills me with a calm. My mind is flooded by memories of past vacations (from childhood all the way through now), and also visions of future getaways.
Who doesn’t love a good vacation?!?
So when our partners mentioned that they strive to take the children on a vacation when possible, we jumped at the possibility of being able to help make that happen! Everyone deserves a vacation every now and then, but especially waiting children who don’t otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy such ‘typical’ childhood experiences!
So we began asking questions –
When? Where? How many children? Budget?
And while getting the details, we learned these vacations go far beyond fun in the sun. The orphanage staff utilize these trips to begin teaching and instilling independence and life skills. They utilize public transportation, not just to save costs, but specifically to guide the children on how to do so. They stop at convenience stores for supplies, but have the children budget the shopping, make the purchases, and check to ensure they received the correct change back.
They include the children in the planning, the preparation, and the packing, all in an effort to prepare the children for their years beyond the orphanage – whether those years are in a forever family, or out on their own.
Upwards of 40 children, ranging in age from school-aged to teens, will participate in this amazing opportunity this spring.
The intentionality and forethought to not only give these children the vacation they so very much deserve, but to do so in a way that will teach them valuable life lessons, left us in awe.
Of course we will help make this happen!
And we invite you to join us!
