Day 14: Chiquitines Visit

 

Today we had the privilege of visiting Chiquitines to say goodbye to Luisa's friends and caretakers there. We were both anxious about how Luisa would handle the visit.  We tried to imagine what must be going through her little mind.  She's been with us for 12 days, and now we are returning to her former home.  Would she think we were taking her back for good?  Would she WANT to go back in the arms of those who had cared for her for so long?  She seemed to sense on the way there that this was not a normal outing.  She clung to me in the car (by the way, car seats are going to rock her world when we return to the States).

She clung when she saw where we had arrived.  When we were getting out of the car, her classmates were outside.  We heard shouts of, "Luisa! Luisa!" as they ran to greet us.  They were so glad to see their friend again.  They were called back to class before they made it to us; we would have a little party with them in a bit. 

We walked in the building and saw lots of staff.  Everyone wanted to talk to Luisa and ask how she is doing.  She handed out a few smiles from the safety of my arms, but wanted nothing to do with leaving them.  We walked into the courtyard to see the babies, who were in bouncy seats and swings or on mats having tummy time (which makes Abby the OT oh so proud!).

Luisa started attending preschool at Chiquitines in May, but she had spent all of her time prior to this May with the babies.  These ladies had cared for her for a long time!  I think they pretty much hang out in this courtyard the majority of the day.

 

Caroline acting shy

With Agatha, the director of Chiquitines

 

Next we saw the cafeteria.  The ladies there also wanted to talk to Luisa.  She was obviously very loved by everyone on staff!

 

 

The next stop was the room where Luisa slept.  Her bed was the middle one on the right.  This was the first time she showed true anxiety in the tour.  She did NOT want to enter the bedroom.  We happily obliged.  Philip went in to snap a quick photo.

 

After our tour, we went back toward the preschool to see her friends and have a snack with them.  Now they were able to run up and give her lots of hugs.  Luisa got really excited when they all ran toward her.  She started squealing and waving her arms in delight.  For the first time, she left my arms to sit in a little chair in the circle for a snack.  We passed out juice boxes and snack cakes for the 26 +2 kids there.  The children kept coming up to her, giving her big hugs, and saying, "Luisa con papas?" ("Luisa with parents?").  We were asked to share with the staff and the children (with Magnolia interpreting) how Luisa has been doing with us. As soon as her snack was gone, she started with her pitiful cry and signature planking move, in which she straightens herself like a board and slides out of her chair.  This is to be interpreted as, "Pick me up NOW!"

The children got to go play for a bit on the playground after their snack.  Luisa and I sat to the side, continuously flanked by a rotating group of two to three little girls, all wanting to touch her face and ask, "Con papas?"  She kept flashing her trademark grin at each of them, as if to say, "Si, con mis papas."

The preschool building

When we made it back to the lobby, Luisa started gesturing toward the exit.  She was ready to leave with her family.  Overall, I thought the visit could not have gone better.  I think it helped to cement in her mind that she is really leaving and going with us.  We were worried that visiting Chiquitines might set us back, but she has seemed even more comfortable this afternoon.

It is evident when you walk through those doors that every member of the staff truly loves these children. The staff at the front desk, the caregivers, the volunteers, the cafeteria staff, the handyman, the psychologist, the pediatrician, the director, the teacher: they all obviously have such a heart for these children and want the best in each of their lives.  We are so grateful for the love and care she received there.