This is it, my last day at PPA (Peruculturio Perez Arranibar Orphanage). We had a full day scheduled which included our daily programs as well as movie night with the first graders.
Dan, Lisa, Libby and I spent the morning saying goodbye to everyone. During our day projects Mili walked around taking videos and photos of us at work. I bought special treats for my kindergarten class and a personalized photo album for the siblings. In the morning I distributed the goodies, took photos while showing them pics of my niece who they loved. The kids in the kindergarten class took the time out to hand me a little card which each of them had signed. Then they all squeezed me goodbye.
Earlier during the week I had managed to get approval for Luis and Enrique to join us during movie night. I hoped that the movie would be a good kick off to handling the issues of the prior day. During the morning Luis had asked if I was still going to pick him up and I assured him I would. He was so pleased to hear that. In the afternoon, I picked him up first and then headed to get Enrique. When we arrived, Enrique was happy to see me and leaped into my arms to hug me, he had not noticed his brother who was standing on another side of the room. When I walked out with Enrique and he saw his brother he became sullen and quiet. We managed to walk a few steps away from his dormitory as we headed to watch the movie when he suddenly began imitating Luis’ behavior from the day before. Enrique broke down into tears saying he didn’t want to go anywhere. He sat on the ground refusing to move. Luisito tried to approach Enrique who brutally rejected him. Luis tried asking Enrique not to misbehave. Luis mentioned that his behavior the day before was inappropriate and that Enrique shouldn’t be imitating him. I reminded Enrique of the movies and goodies he would be able to enjoy if he calmed down. He just kept saying “NO!” and sat still crying. After several mins I had to pick him up and carry him back to his caretaker. He resisted me as he kicked and screamed. The caretaker took him and asked what was wrong. He told her that he didn’t want to be with his brother. She took him aside trying to calm him. I went back to the main office and got him a cookie. When we returned with the cookie Enrique was calm but refused to leave with me since I was with his brother. He allowed his brother to give him a cookie but resisted any other contact. He walked away back to his caretaker as we headed back to allow Luis to watch the movie alone with the first graders.
As all the kids gathered I made sure to get Luis a front seat to watch the movie since he’s smaller then the other kids. While he watched the movie I headed with Mili and Libby to make popcorn for all the children. We made it the old school way using pots and oil. It was so much work. By the time we were done the kids were almost done watching the movie.
When it was over, I had to take Luis back to his dormitory. However, before doing so I made one last attempt to visit Enrique in hopes of getting them to bond again. Once again Enrique was happy to see me but resisted Luis. I had Luis approach him with the popcorn apologizing to him for having had rejected Enrique with the cookies the day before. Enrique began taking some of the popcorn. Luisito told him that he loved him and how sorry he was for his negative behavior. I gave each of them the photo album I had made of the days they spent playing together. Luis was so happy. Enrique was in awe but didn’t want the pictures with his brother. It took a few moments but I finally got them to get along as they shared some of the popcorn. By the time we ended they hugged one another and were once again looking forward to hanging out the following week. I felt so relieved to see them get along. I was so concerned about leaving them in such bad terms. When it was time to say goodbye I squeezed each one so tightly and they reciprocated. I so did not want to let go of them. Luisito thanked me for the time spent and off they went into their dormitory.
As I returned to the main office I noticed children sitting on the steps. Since some of the children at PPA have families that are allowed to take them for the weekend, they anxiously sit and wait for their arrival. The sad part was to hear that some of the kids sitting on the steps had parents/families they knew would never show up and yet these children continue to keep hope alive of someday watching someone walk through the gates to pick them up. Other children who knew no one would be picking them up just got upset and angry towards the kids that did have someone arrive for them.
Once we were all on the bus we headed back to our hostal. On our way out kids were waving goodbye. I couldn't help but stare at the children that would be left waiting, patiently sitting on the steps for someone that would never appear. How I wished there were so much more I could do.
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