This is John. He was referred to us by our friends at AVSI, the Italian Volunteer Organization. They have a feeding program and came across a family that needed help. The single mother is mentally handicapped and she has nine children. John, three years old, is one of them. There are no institutions or social services for the mentally or psychologically challenged. John has a good chance of recovering from the malnutrition and we will do all we can to help him. He ate lunch with me today (ate everything on his plate) but would not speak. After a nap this afternoon, he came up to see me. He still was not speaking. He sat on a stool and watched me post his photo on the blog and all of a sudden started crying for his mother... would not be consoled with words, crackers or a Hot-Wheels car. Can you imagine how he feels?Will keep you posted.
He'll have some new friends soon, right? Then he'll do better. And even talk.
ReplyDeleteSteve
No, I cannot imagine how it feels to be away from everything that made him feel safe and secure, eveyone familiar. He cannot possibly understand what is happening or why. Heartbreaking...
ReplyDeleteBUT I do believe that when he is with other children who have been through similar circumstances, he will adapt to the loving Espwa family. Heartwarming...