Field trips and fire .....

And five more makes seventy six

A few weeks ago I accompanied Charity and Minet, Gentle Hands social worker, to assess a family of siblings who had been found abandoned and alone in a house.  

And, in the blink of an eye, Gentle Hands had rescued another five children. To be part of that is indescribable. The bond that develops is instant and unmatched, as a raw and fiercely protective love is ignited. 

The drive back was, for me, surreal; one of awe, incredulity. I was suddenly surrounded by tiny, dirty, barely clad little human beings, who had just placed their hands in ours and followed us, complete strangers, with no idea where they were being taken. As I sat with one child falling asleep in my lap and another nestling under my free arm, I was mesmerised by these five little lives we had just saved.  

Our first encounter ...

And with just a short dose of Gentle Hands love ......

Follow up

A few days ago, I was invited to join Charity to hunt down (ahem, I mean, source) their parents ... we went to the address, spoke to their neighbours and entered the home where they were found .... the parents are still missing.

The stairs up ......

.... to the front room, where the youngest was found sitting amongst the rubble

The 'hallway' to the other room.

The other room.....
.....there was no kitchen and no bathroom.
Simply what you see. 

I'm not sure what to say ... nothing seems fitting in a situation like this. I'm sure you will all react in different ways. 

I think I cope by not thinking ..... I think I focus on actions rather than thoughts .... I think its just what I do. 

Maybe that will change and maybe its not supposed to. All I can say is that I am so unbelievably thankful and humbled to be a part of this plight (this fight) and to be a part of Gentle Hands good good works. 

I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else.

Hall of fame

Our lil' Ronnie finally got his operation ... first of anyway.... He seems to have become rather an icon in the social media world .... since he has been 'going for surgery' for the last few months.

With two previous episodes of pneumonia causing cancelled surgery dates, the time has finally arrived… :) I am so excited for him!

We arrived at Smile Train, Makati, at 5.15am, ready for action ... a little too ready it seems since the operation didn't proceed until 11.00am. 

Oh my, what to do with a hungry child for six hours in one small corner of a room with one 'official' child's toy ... and no coffee (for me, if you had any doubts)!

He was, however, a pure delight ..... 

Come no closer ..... I'm warning you,  I will cry!

Wow,  I love this.... it's so, so .... complex

What are we doing here again?

Oh, something funny is going on..... I know that reassuring smile!

Oh, boy, this is so comfortable compared to that floor .... 

Mmm, deja vu ..... where have I seen you before?

This is not a toy and it doesn't taste great either. And pink, really?

Bored, bored bored!!!

I'll have a quick nap - quell this boredom

Sooooo hungry...gonna suck the life out of this cracker packet!!!

Smells good........

Lacking in taste somewhat

Hang on....is it empty???

What are you looking at .....

This is really not working for me.....

But surely?...... it smells so good!

Anything edible in this pile of 'pretend' toys?

May I eat this? 

I

I'll give it a go .........

Mmmm.... not too bad

Why do you keep pointing that thing at me? 

Ah hah.... chewing gum

Any minute something is gonna come out......

Sucker....

And then I had to hand him over....... to Smile Train. I believed he could be in no better hands (spot the double meaning?)

Two hours later ..... we were reunited. He was not a happy boy but constant rocking for AN HOUR did the trick! 

I had, however, found a peri-operative coffee for myself so I was ready for him :) 

What just happened to me!!! 

Safe, sound and silent !!!!!!!!!

Ronnie and I arrived at Gentle Hands on the very same day, four months ago. He weighed a mere 4.5kg but had the same biggest brown eyes and infectious smile. I have been to every appointment with him - 12 in total - through numerous blood tests, chest X-rays, dental exams, ENT exams ... to get to this day...

As a paediatric intensive care nurse, I have never had the opportunity to go through a journey like this with a child... one in which I was there from the beginning to the end. I guess it must be a little like being a mother :) After all my work experiences, this has to be one of the most touching and rewarding ones I have ever had. 

And when I meet his forever family I can't wait to tell them what an amazing son they have just been blessed with.