Gladney Teen Service Trip in Colombia - Day 3

Today began a little rough ...we were given a new driver who wasn't sure what hotel we were at.  He went to the wrong one so he arrived to pick us up and hour late.

After we got to the orphanage we immediately went to our classrooms and got to "teaching".   Today my class did tissue paper fish and then we did a USA puzzle. The kids really enjoyed both but especially the puzzle. They were asking what state we were each from and then pointing to it; asking how to say it etc. 

Lunch was interesting for the teens...white rice (they all loved), a salad of tomatoes, corn and beans and some potatoes with a ranch/alfredo like sauce, and think a pork chop ...with some kind of sauce. Of course I loved it all but the teens seemed a little wary. 

After lunch we went out side to play for the afternoon. Today I brought nail polish.  I think I painted 12-13 sets of nails and some toes.  Beth Whitacre, Intercountry Adoption Caseworker, had her lacing craft which was a big hit and then of course there is always soccer and basketball going on.  Our snack was chocolate chip cookies form the on-site bakery and apples along with some wonderful Colombian coffee. 

Tonight we are headed to Pizza Hut for dinner and then back to the hotel for some needed rest.  The kids at orphanage are full on and want total attention understandably . . .  lots of hugs and a few kisses too. One little guy told me I was a clown -- Joe Smith had to translate for me. It was so fun playing with him on his roller blades, chasing him, spinning him, etc. 

When we leave they all ask are you coming tomorrow. It will be hard to tell them tomorrow is goodbye. REALLY HARD!

Angie Parish

Intake Specialist| Eastern Europe and Latin America

Gladney Teen Service Trip in Colombia - Day 2

Today we were able to use the money raised by our Gladney babies to provide shoes for the kids at the orphanage we are visiting. What a sight!  ALL the kids in the cafeteria waiting to get a new pair of shoes. They were very excited and so were we! Our Gladney Babies each got a box of shoes and called out a name then that child would come up and the Gladney Baby would hep them with their shoe swap.

It took almost 2 hours to get it all done.  It was worth the time. Then we had another wonderful snack form the bakery -- sort of a bagel with jelly on the inside and juice.  We were also given a tour of the full campus. We went to the preschool area, sleeping quarters for the kids and the bakery. We were also shown a small "store " where the kids of the orphanage get to "buy" things with points they earn for good behavior and academics.

After the tour we went to work in our classrooms.  Today was less academic and more fun with coloring  and paint.  In my first grade classroom we made straw rockets! They were a big hit! Then it was lunch time followed by an afternoon of futbol, basketball, bubbles and such. They even had  a tent we put up to play in.

Tonight we dined at the Corall a good hamburger place and then went to see the new Hugh Jackman movie Wolverine.  Now it's off for some needed rest,  so we can do it all again tomorrow!

Angie Parish

Intake Specialist| Eastern Europe and Latin America

Bringing Hope and a Future

Gladney Center for Adoption's Colombia program has a lot going on!

• Through our regular Colombia Adoption Program, several families are traveling this month to meet their children face-to-face for the first time and go through the adoption process in-country.  
• Many children have been adding to Gladney's waiting child website - A Child to Love.  
• Through Gladney's Hope Exchange Program, families have an exciting opportunity to brighten the life of a child living in an orphanage, and experience the culture first hand!  
• In July, Gladney adoptees will travel with staff to Colombia for a Service Trip.  They will work and play with children living in an orphanage in Bogota, Colombia.  They will also be providing shoes for these beautiful children.

You can help our adoptees raise humanitarian aid funds for their service project by purchasing coffee, tea, or special drinks from the Gladney Ground To Cup coffee store!

How will you get involved?

US to Colombia to US

Based on Gladney’s successful US based Bright Futures Camp,the Hope Exchange Camp offers a fun-filled week of camp activities including sightseeing and the opportunity for children awaiting adoption to spend time with a loving prospective adoptive family. Being in Colombia offers some additional benefits to both parents and children. 

By going to Colombia, families can spend more time with their child before placement and have the opportunity to experience Colombian culture first hand –- both of these experiences will help build a strong foundation and bond. Additionally, because the children remain on familiar turf, they experience less culture shock and feel more at ease with prospective parents.

What an exciting opportunity to brighten the life of a child living in an orphanage, and experience the culture first hand!

For planning purposes, families must have submitted their application by February 1, 2014. There is a lot to do, but Gladney has experts to guide you through every step of the process. The first step is to get more information about the camp by contacting Judy Hayes via email or 432.563.3344.  Don't miss this unique opportunity!