A story…

A story…



I have now been in Shangri La for four days. The kids at the orphanage are absolutely wonderful. The older ones take care of the younger ones, and they all seem to cling to each other. They are a family…

It is a surreal experience, working with these kids. I often forget that many of them are without a mother and father, and their incredible struggles are impossible to see behind their bright smiles. But during an interview with Patrick, another GR volunteer, one of the kid’s horrific story was described in all too vivid detail. I wish I could recount to you exactly what was said, but I was not present for the interview.

Here is the summary that I obtained from Patrick during our ride home.

As a small child this boy was abandoned and left to fend for himself in the woods. He lived among the trees for four years with no other company. When he was found by Tendol, the woman who created and continues to run the children’s home, he was too wild to attend classes.

The same kid schools me in basketball everyday at the orphanage. He is older now, and has some pretty good moves. He is happy here, with Tendol as his mother, and the other kids as his brothers and sisters… Its impossible to tell by looking at him what he has gone through, but he has suffered more than many of us will in a lifetime…

We are so fortunate…