Orphanage Trip

Today we took Mason and went to visit the orphanage that he has been at for the last 6 years.  Alan & I were both very anxious about this trip.  We were told that sometimes kids can have huge fears of being left when going back.  We also didn't know if he would not want to come back with us once we got there.  As soon as we were there we ran into his nanny. She recognized us ( & Mason ) right away.  She took us around the orphanage and explained how they ran it.  In the last year Mason had moved out of the orphanage and was living in a foster home which they create to be like a family unit.  This is to help the child transition from institution living to family living and to give the children a chance to attend school.  In his foster home there were between 6-8 children living with an Auntie & Uncle.  I told Alan I hope Mason doesn't feel like he is just living in another foster home in the states.  Unfortunately we did not get to visit his foster home or see his friends but we did enjoy seeing the orphanage, which is where he has spent most of his time.  Mason did great at the orphanage and really seemed to relax a lot more with us after that.  I think it was visiting the orphanage ( and not being left behind ) that helped him realize that this is for real.....he has a home and family.  Many other adopting parents said they had the same experience with their kids and that visiting the orphanage was a good closure for the child.
After visiting the orphanage we went to the hospital where Mason was abandoned.  The hospital itself was very nice looking but all around it was poverty.

Sleeping area for the kids

Alan, Myself & the Nanny on the orphanage playground

We were able to interact with the children.  This is where the babies stay

Outside the front of the orphanage

Laundry day that afternoon

Next to the hospital

The front of the hospital where Mason was found

The babies sleeping area

Inside play area for the orphanage