Juan Carlos

In between feeding and naps the babies were either left in their crib, on a mat, or placed in a walker. These babies were in definite need of attention, but it was so difficult for me to give them each all the love they deserve. The boy in the picture is Juan Carlos who was abandoned by his parents. He was almost 18 months here and could barely sit up by himself. He was born with a clubbed foot and he had already undergone a severe surgery on his back. This sweet spirit has little to look forward to in his future besides being bounced around in many orphanages in his life. I loved to just see him smile and I just hope I helped him to be happy for the few weeks that I was there.

Solomon Klein

When our internship didn't turn out quite how we wanted, so we decided to start volunteering at a local orphange. This orphange has 175 kids living there under the age of 6. It was completely crazy! I was in the newborn room which consisted of 36 babies from day one to about 12 months. My morning started out with hand feeding each baby at 8, washing and changing cloth diapers after that, and then after a 20 minute break we were back to feeding them all again. I would finish at abou 12:30 for lunch and return at 2 to start the changing and feeding process again until 6. They were long days, but worth every minute.

Big Tree

Here is Sampson and me in front of the biggest tree to be found in the jungle. Those vines that hang from the tree were definitely a temptation to Sampson. And of course, Sampson couldn't resist and seconds after this picture he was half way up the tree. He is nuts!!

Rope Swing of a Lifetime

Believe it or not that spec in the top right corner is actually Sampson and me on a rope swing. We had to climb up this teetering tree that scared me half to death. We had to stand on this ledge half way falling off before we started. When we jumped I screamed the whole way down because I had left my stomach at the top of the 3o ft tree!! It was definitely a relationship builder.