The foster home is nestled in a high-rise residential complex and occupies four apartments. One apartment is for newborn babies, one for older babies, one for toddlers and one for volunteers. Compared to other orphanages in more rural areas, this one was much cleaner, safer and more comfortable. However, it is extremely important that these children are in the best possible environment because they need such an environment to recover from their surgeries.
I spent the majority of my time working in the original Starfish Foster Home apartment with the toddlers, usually 1 to 2 year olds with a few babies. The newborn babies are the easier ones to care for as they mostly sleep and eat, but the toddlers, oh boy! The noisiest apartment is no doubt the one I worked in. When I first walked in, most of the babies were slowly waking up and the older toddlers were watching Mr. Wiggles, their ultimate favorite show ON THE PLANET.
A couple of the toddlers are cruising in their PJs with a bottle in their hand, staring at me and wondering who this tall stranger was. Then as they all woke up, it was breakfast time.
I spent the majority of my time working in the original Starfish Foster Home apartment with the toddlers, usually 1 to 2 year olds with a few babies. The newborn babies are the easier ones to care for as they mostly sleep and eat, but the toddlers, oh boy! The noisiest apartment is no doubt the one I worked in. When I first walked in, most of the babies were slowly waking up and the older toddlers were watching Mr. Wiggles, their ultimate favorite show ON THE PLANET.
rare moment of peace
A couple of the toddlers are cruising in their PJs with a bottle in their hand, staring at me and wondering who this tall stranger was. Then as they all woke up, it was breakfast time.
feeding factory line: one nanny vs five to six kids
my moment of glory:
teaching two-year olds how to feed themselves (and each other)
teaching two-year olds how to feed themselves (and each other)
Breakfast, and all other meals, is like a warzone. You put (as fast as you can) as many toddlers on a feeding chair as possible and just grab a bowl full of food and start feeding one baby after another. Toddlers don't just sit there, they stand up, steal other babies' food, throw their bottles, cry, smudge their food, cry more....and it goes on and on. It's madness but you need to make sure they are all well-fed so they can grow and stay healthy.
After the feeding frenzy, its time for play. The older toddlers are allowed to go outdoors and expend their energy. Each nanny or volunteer will take two to four kids in a stroller and let them stay out till 11ish. The complex is quite kid-friendly, with little playgrounds (albeit worn out) and green areas. During this time, the babies get to interact with the neighbor kids and you can see how the lack of constant parental attention affects the children's development. The older toddlers tend to snatch away other kid's toys. Each nanny in the foster home is responsible for three or four children. There is a limit to how much attention and stimulus they can provide the children with. Most notably, the older toddlers tend to lack discipline. When a kid cries the nannies or volunteers tend to shove a toy at them or snack to keep them quiet. When the toddlers fight over toys no one is there to mediate or teach them to communicate. Despite the clean and safe environment the foster home provides them with, it is obvious that this is not enough. These babies need a loving home to provide them the love, attention and guidelines necessary for their development.
the three muskeeters
sweet sisterly love
After some crazy (and HOT) hours outdoors, we return to the apartment and its another feeding frenzy. By the end of lunch, babies are dozing off or throwing tandrums because it's naptime.
Around 1:30 pm, babies slowly wake up to enjoy another afternoon of fun. It is too hot in the summer to go outdoors so the babies stay indoors. The apartment literally turns into a playground with Mr. Wiggles or Barney in the background along with cries, screams and laughter.
The day ends with dinner (last war of the day) and BATH TIME! Bath time is another warzone (closer to armageddon) because some babies just HATE water and there is always screams and sobs There is one bathroom in the apartment for use, so we fill the bathtub halfway and throw in two to three kids. It's all joyful until the older toddlers decide to wage Water World War and the whole bathroom is splashed with water. The sink is also used to wash the young babies and another plastic tub is filled to wash younger toddlers. The whole bathroom becomes a baby-washing machine. In comes baby 1, ready set....WASH, cry, shampoo, cry, wash, cry, cry, soap, wash, wipe, PJs and out the door. Next baby, so on and so forth. You think your job is hard? Try washing five babies in a row and you'll get your arse whipped. The clean and happy babies then relax to Mr. Wiggles with milk bottles in their mouths and all start getting ready for bed.Voila! Daily life of a Starfish baby.
I volunteered there for two weeks and there were (many many) times when I thought I would never make it through the day but it becomes all worth it when you look at their eager beaming eyes and listen to their contagious laughs. Despite these babies unfortunate past, each and every one of these babies have fought to survive. It's impossible not to feel grateful of your own family when you are exposed to these strong babies. If they can survive all odds, we all can get over the little glitches in our fortunate lives.
The amount of work Amanda has put into the foster home is incomprehensible. The love and effort of all the nannies who care for the babies and the beautiful spirits of the babies have touched me deeply. I recently visited two babies who underwent heart surgery in Hangzhou and it is so comforting to see that all these Starfishes will soon find loving homes just like little Virginia.
There are many ways you can contribute to Starfish, you can learn more on their official website.
You can also follow Amanda's blog here.
ZZZzzz
Around 1:30 pm, babies slowly wake up to enjoy another afternoon of fun. It is too hot in the summer to go outdoors so the babies stay indoors. The apartment literally turns into a playground with Mr. Wiggles or Barney in the background along with cries, screams and laughter.
cabin fever, no doubt
cross-dressing, another favorite past-time
why can't we go out?
The day ends with dinner (last war of the day) and BATH TIME! Bath time is another warzone (closer to armageddon) because some babies just HATE water and there is always screams and sobs There is one bathroom in the apartment for use, so we fill the bathtub halfway and throw in two to three kids. It's all joyful until the older toddlers decide to wage Water World War and the whole bathroom is splashed with water. The sink is also used to wash the young babies and another plastic tub is filled to wash younger toddlers. The whole bathroom becomes a baby-washing machine. In comes baby 1, ready set....WASH, cry, shampoo, cry, wash, cry, cry, soap, wash, wipe, PJs and out the door. Next baby, so on and so forth. You think your job is hard? Try washing five babies in a row and you'll get your arse whipped. The clean and happy babies then relax to Mr. Wiggles with milk bottles in their mouths and all start getting ready for bed.Voila! Daily life of a Starfish baby.
I volunteered there for two weeks and there were (many many) times when I thought I would never make it through the day but it becomes all worth it when you look at their eager beaming eyes and listen to their contagious laughs. Despite these babies unfortunate past, each and every one of these babies have fought to survive. It's impossible not to feel grateful of your own family when you are exposed to these strong babies. If they can survive all odds, we all can get over the little glitches in our fortunate lives.
In July, I witnessed Virginia's (now Zoey) adoption,
which was such a bittersweet goodbye.
It brings me much joy to see her loving her new life (photos here).
which was such a bittersweet goodbye.
It brings me much joy to see her loving her new life (photos here).
Caroline a week after her heart surgery and recovering rapidly.
Charlotte, a new baby to Starfish, who also received heart surgery this month
There are many ways you can contribute to Starfish, you can learn more on their official website.
You can also follow Amanda's blog here.
It is interesting to read about your experiences there. My daughter, Josie, was also adopted from Starfish in July. Wonder if she was there when you were.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy! Just checked my blogs, there is a high possibility that I did meet her. I'm happy to hear another baby found a loving home. Please give Josie a big hug from me from China!
ReplyDelete