Journal by Sophie Ngo
Coming into this type of experience for the first time ever, I didn't know what to expect, then before I knew it, it became an actually really meaningful experience to me. I was told I’d be volunteering at an orphanage, and yet the first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t really an orphanage at all, not even close. After a few days, I started seeing it as just a really big family.
With the way they fight, play, sleep, and eat with each other, I don’t think any other type of label makes sense other than just being a huge family with dozens of siblings. I remember seeing two of the girls wrestle and tickle each other on the bed next to mine over most likely the smallest thing, and it reminded me of my sisters and I growing up.
Meeting the kids at Mary’s Home and seeing how genuinely kind each girl was, and developing relationships with them as well as the Lighthouse girls was a gift. As I grew closer to each girl and began to understand more and more of their individual stories, it just made my stay more exciting, knowing that I was learning more about everyone in the compound every day. It was a privilege to observe everyone’s strength and resilience, and left with a deeper appreciation of family and community.
Although we came from different backgrounds, faced different challenges in our lives, we were able to support and learn from each other. We came to understand that many of the children had difficult beginnings, but that did not diminish their spirit or their appreciativeness of life. They taught me how to live outside the bubble of privilege I’ve been given all my life, and to see the world through their eyes, and for that I am so grateful.
In fact, it wasn’t just the kids who made the experience so special. The housemoms were incredibly kind and welcoming, and could see that the girls didn’t just see them as some caring adults but as loving parents and teachers.
Although this experience was definitely tough at times, with the heat and lower living conditions than I’m used to, it taught me so much about the value of selfless service and the importance of connections between people. I remember getting a thank you card from a little girl about how thankful she was to have us be there, teaching them. It was such a rewarding experience to be able to play a small part in the lives of these kids, and was a beautiful reminder that every action can have an impact on others, and even the smallest things we do can make a difference.
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