Day 3 - How has the time gone so fast?

 

These first few days have been a whirlwind. Lots of smiles, lots of play, lots of "wondering how I am going to do this?", but also lots of love. The boys, Edwin and José Manuel, are adapting well. Edwin has really attached himself to us, talking about how he loves that Hunter treats him like a brother. He calls me mom and mommy. José Manuel is slowly opening up. For the first time since he has arrived, he smiled yesterday! It was a wonderful feeling to see him happy! He still doesn´t say much, and while I would like to say that it is because that he does not speak too much English, I think it is more that NONE of us ever is quiet. There is ALWAYS someone talking, yelling, running, just making noise. 

There are many that have said what an admiral thing I am doing. For me, I am doing it because I can. Because I should. Because I have more than what I need and the best/right thing to do is share. While these statistics are from the US, it is very general of orphans worldwide. These statistics talk about orphans who are aging out of the system (generally anywhere from 16-18 years of age). 

Many of these new adults instantly become homeless. Without the support, guidance and preparation most teens receive from their parents, these kids enter the world with the odds already stacked against them.

• 25% won’t graduate high school.
• 50% will develop a substance abuse dependence.
• 70% of young women will become pregnant before age 21.
• 3% of kids who age out will earn a college degree. (Collins, n.d.)

These children need my help and that is why I do what I do.

This first weekend that they have been here with us has been filled with a lot of activities! We did our regular Saturday morning cartoons and breakfast pizza. They explored Lemon Lake park. We were all invited to a birthday party and they got to play laser tag and the arcade! It was such a great start to the time here! I can't wait to continue this journey with them. 

I am going to continue asking for help! Some continue to ask how they can help and here are some suggestions - 

1. Send gift cards for different restaurants. I want the boys to try different foods while we are here and it would be great to have some help!
2. Movie tickets 
3. Financially - if you would like to donate financially (last four of my phone is x2993)
1. Here is my PayPal - @teresamccann6
2. Here is my Venmo - @Teresa-McCann-6
3. Contact me via email - TLMCCANN2002@yahoo.com

Work Cited:

Collins, T. (n.d.). Success vs. Statistics in Foster Care | Child Bridge. Www.childbridgemontana.org. https://www.childbridgemontana.org/blog/success-vs-statistics 

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