As we get closer to the end of the trip, it is difficult not to think of the goodbyes we will soon have to say. Difficult as it may be, reality is that I must go home and may never see some of those that I’ve made connections with again.
Our team has been given the opportunity of coming back to India again in December for Christmas to bring love, joy and presents to our friends here; many of us are considering the idea.
While teaching my 7th grade boys at the orphanage, I brought up the
possibility of seeing them in December if our father opens a door for me to be able to come back.
“Aunti, I will not be here,” Suraj said.
“I will probably not be here either,” Gifty added.
After some questions, I learned that the children who are not “true” orphans (children whose parent(s) is/are still alive) go home for the summer, back with their families for a summer breakIt seems that many children who go home this summer will try to convince their parents not to send them back—especially after the way they are being treated by this new administration. Many of them are at this orphanage because their parents cannot afford to keep them at home, and send them mainly for the education. At that, I realized that I may never see some of the people I met on my trip again.
“So you mean that I will never see you guys again,” I asked.
“In heaven Aunti. We will me again in heaven,” Suraj said while pointing a finger to the sky.
He’s right. Somehow that concept is going to make it a little easier to say my ‘goodbyes;’ but in other cases, it’s going to make it a little more difficult.
