Orphanage and Foster Family

March 10, 2008 - Monday

We caught a taxi to the Rehabilitation Center for Malnourished Orphans in Danang at 8:20am. When we arrived we instantly remembered every detail of the place. Many things over 7 years change, this place was the same. A tree at the side of the courtyard appeared much smaller but that was all.

Sophie's caregiver, while at the orphanage, came out saying "Phong Lan"! over and over. She is a young lady - a mother herself, and truly, truly loved Sophie. We found out that even though Sophie was in foster care, she was with this lady often. Sophie had to go to doctors alot due to her malnourishment and what it caused her in development.

The director and assistant director along with 3 other staff members came out and were thrilled to see Sophie, but, also Sadie. They remembered the big sister well and that made her (and us) feel very good.

The girls were taken by motorbike (yikes! and I agreed to it) to a local restaurant in Danang with the caregiver and the asst. director for a bite to eat. They put helmets on the girls (thank God!) and took off - when the girls came back you could tell by the look on their face it was a very good experience and there was no need to worry so much.

The foster family came and were so happy to see Sophie - the foster family picked her up and held her close to him as tears ran down his face. It was hard for him, but, he decided it was only right to share her with his wife, Sophie's foster mom. She sobbed as she held Sophie and touched her face, looked into her eyes. It was obvious (even though we already knew) how much they truly loved our daughter. The foster father sat down and explained that they have been foster parents for 14 children. Sophie was the 11th. She was the most difficult to say good bye to. Her foster brother loved her so much and could not be there for the reunion as he is now a police officer and could not get time off for the days that we were in Danang. He sent pictures of him and him with our darling when she was younger. Sophie remembers him and that is cool.

We went back to the hotel in Danang and finished packing to leave for Hoi An at 1:30pm. The social worker, assist. director and Sophie's caregiver came back to get us to go to meet Sophie's birth family.