Who let the dogs out? Who? Who?

February 12- Thursday- DAY 9
Today we actually counted the days until we have the girls and then took stock of all the things we still needed to buy for souvenirs ect and panicked a little. So, we decided to go to the reenick again today. (Did you hear that ominous music? ). By ourselves (more ominous music). To give Keith time to work and Elijah time for a nap we decided to go in the morning instead of visiting the girls. I took the camera, desperately wanting to take a picture of at least one of the aisles. But then chickened out (after taking a couple that didn’t work) for not wanting to offend people or have them call the police on me. I REALLY wanted to get a picture of the beautiful, ornate, white, wedding dresses hanging over the mud, but again I didn’t dare. I’m such a big chicken. 
We walked and walked and walked. We did find some embroidered linens to buy. I think we’ll save them for when the girls get married. We also found a couple places that sold the traditional shirts and skirts. They even had some prepackaged WITH PRICES ON THEM (and a good deal too), which is almost never the case in the reenick. We should have bought them then but didn’t. When we went back they were put away and you had to ask sizes and prices again. We’ll go back there, maybe with a native speaker to help. We also looked at a coat for Keith, he needs a new one. But it was more money than we had on us. Elijah’s is getting small, too, we’ll have to see what we can do about that.
We walked down some familiar aisles but most of the ones were new ones. Does that place EVER end?!?!?!
Elijah walked most of the way with us. He is getting so he doesn’t like riding on Keith’s shoulders as well. I guess we were spoiled, because that is an easy way to carry him. Maybe he is having diaper issues still?!?
Anyway, he fell asleep during lunch. That was a funny picture: him with his new backpack on (he loves it and wears it all the time), kneeling on the bench, trying to keep his eyes open and trying not to fall over. Poor guy.
He (and I, I must confess) slept while Keith worked (poor guy) until it was time to go visit the girls.
We took the dictionaries that we bought for A1 and K, and a coloring book, for something to do.
Keith, A1 and K sat for quite a while looking through them. They were very excited. One of the boys in their group looked at it too and said “good book.” He is such a nice boy. Does anyone out there want to adopt a 10 year old, sweet boy? If we weren’t in the process of adopting and expecting a long recovery period (financially and otherwise) I would adopt him. He played with Elijah for quite a while and Elijah even played with him (and that is saying something). He had Elijah laughing and everything. He even knows quite a bit of English. But then I don’t even know if he is available. I will see if I can find out.
I took my camera with us because I was feeling brave. I was still pondering how to get pictures of the girls’ bedrooms when a solution presented itself. K was looking at all the pictures I had taken when I was inspired to let her take it and ask her to get pictures. She ran off and a couple minutes later (long minutes LOL) she came back with all kinds of pictures of her room. Then A1 wanted to take some pictures (she is going to be quite a photographer—she has a good eye for composition and pays attention to details). So, we let her take pictures. She got some more of K and her bed and a few of their friends. She also got a picture of their whole group (except the boy and R- they were with us). Those pictures are priceless!! So, while I’m paranoid about giving up possession of an expensive camera to them I’m really glad almost every time I do. I’ve got pictures of most of their friends- individually and as a group, their bedroom (and we need to get R’s and A2’s), the prosecutor, and the social worker-- that I probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I would have NEVER dared take a picture of the prosecutor or social worker. We also get lots of pictures of Keith and I which I usually delete unless we are with someone else.
After the orphanage we went to the English classes at the church. We were VERY late because for some reason there weren’t as many busses running. We joined the advanced class, they were watching a video and eating cake to celebrate Sister Thatcher’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Sister Thatcher. All the students enjoyed trying to understand Elijah as he made comments on the movie. It was funny.
We asked the Elders to help us find a place to stay after we get the girls. Of course, they readily agreed to do that. There is also the slight possibility that we could stay in the Sister missionaries’ apartment (they were pulled out 2 transfers ago).
On the way home we were waiting for the bus again (45 minutes in the rain… and it happened to be the same bus we rode coming) and there were two stray dogs hanging around us. One of them was pretty big, he came up to my thigh. I worried Keith because I wasn’t paying attention and let the one dog come up behind me but he was just pacing. It was kind of funny to watch. Every time a man came walking by the little dog would bark and that would get the big dog to barking, too. But a lady or any children walked by and they were both silent. The big dog sure hung close by to us until we got on the bus. I was grateful to be able to get on the bus!!

Tidbits:
1. When the wind blows outside our curtains move inside.
2. In the small busses (marshuka) they play English music from a Ukrainian radio station but in the cabs they play Ukrainian music.
3. Apparently we stand out, not because we have a child riding on dad’s shoulders or because that child is constantly talking in English (although those help) but because we smile when we travel- whatever the means.
4. On a shopping run it takes two of us to carry enough food home for 2 days.
5. Public transport works great as long as you DON’T use it after you go grocery shopping
6. Ukrainians will wash their car with bottled water whenever it gets dirty but won’t pick up the garbage that is just outside their front door
7. Wet clothes can dry on the lines outside even if it is raining—but there is nothing like warm towels right off the radiator
8. There is more fur (real or fake) on people than there is on animals here although the stray dogs are giving them a run for their money
9. There are not many cats here
10. You have to be careful of the stray dogs when they are in groups
11. If you get bitten by a stray dog, the only kind of rabbies shots they have in Ukraine are the ones you have to get in the stomach 1 a day for 40 days. You have to travel to Hungary (I think that is where it was) to have the ones you get once a week for 4 weeks
12. You can’t step on or kick a pigeon—even if you try
13. Don’t buy perishables-like meat- from the market it sits out all day and you don’t know who touches it and where their hands have been
14. Dried fish is easy to get here
15. You are supposed to wash the fruit that you can’t peel in bleach water or you could get really sick- oops didn’t know that
16. People (mostly grandmother types) don’t have any problem with telling you when your baby has his neck uncovered or if they think he is going to hit his head on something
17. A good chunk of the things you can buy at the market are made in the USA
18. Tom Cruise’s name looks cool in Cyrillic—not Tom but Cruise (I’ll have to get a picture)
19. Most people here understand and speak Ukrainian AND Russian—that is ok, I don’t speak either one—Japanese anyone?!?!
20. It is VERY comforting to know there are missionaries nearby

Awwww!

A rare moment.
These two largely ignore one another. Maybe I shouldn't say that. Ryah loves to dote on him but it gets too much for Elijah. They have come to an understanding. "If you only tackle me once in a while I will only push you away once in a while." She loves to help him get his shoes and coat on when we are getting ready to leave and for the most part, he lets her.

Day 8

February 11- Wednesday- DAY 8
I and Elijah went by ourselves to the orphanage again so Keith could work. A1 was home from school again. I’d only been there about 15 or 20 minutes when she wanted to go outside. Hey, I’m happy to oblige! It is getting very boring in that one room with those same blocks. She ran off to ask the caretaker if it was alright, and we were off. A few of the other kids came too. The little girl also joined us. When caretakers let her she is never very far from me- usually on my lap or holding my hand. But it wasn’t too long before the caretaker came out and took her back in. Oops. I guess I wasn’t supposed to take her out. A1 took a bike out and rode around a bit. Her tire was flat so I’m sure it wasn’t too comfortable. The other 3 and I walked around and played on a couple playgrounds. We didn’t get nearly as muddy as we did yesterday because we had a dry night last night and the mud is starting to dry up. When we went back in I found out why the caretaker came and got the little girl. Her father was there visiting her and her sister. They say that 85-90% of children in orphanages are not legally free to be adopted. I have seen 4 parents come and visit their children in our groupa. They always bring gifts (food- mostly, but also clothes, cell phone and other things) and then leave. It breaks my heart each time. How sad to be in a situation where you can’t take care of your kids, where you can’t be with your kids.
I did a load of laundry and then we slept for our break. It was much needed by all of us!!
It was computer day for the evening. We also took Elijah’s trains and train tracks and a couple matchbox cars. It was a little tough on him to share them but he did pretty well. We also took batteries. On Sunday A1 showed me a doll—I think it was hers- that needed batteries. Monday we happened to be at the store and I happened to remember to buy some (miracle). Then I misplaced them until today. She was very grateful.
The caregivers let a bunch of the kids stay in the room so it was somewhat chaotic.
Tonight was the first night I have thought “we gotta get those girls out of there.” I felt a real need to get them to a situation where I can control what happens to them and start to set some rules to the behavior. Only two more days of our waiting period. Ok, not really…. 5 more days till we can take them. But will we take them then?!?!?! Argh!! Don’t get me started on that same old yarn. It is late and I’m tired.
I took the camera to get lots of pictures and got some (I'll post some when I get them downloaded) but then the battery died. I’ll have to charge it and get more. I want to take pictures of their bedrooms. I haven’t been back there since the first day. I wonder how I can ask if it is ok to do so now.
It was raining when we walked home. Great, more mud.
While I was cooking supper the power went out. Luba’s mom lit some candles for us and we had a candlelight dinner. About the time we were finished the power came back on. Reminded me of home. :)

To stay or not to stay?!?!?!

NOT YET SENT
February 10- Tuesday- DAY 7
We are trying to get back to some sort of schedule. I made ham and eggs this morning. Then left Keith here to get some work done and took Elijah to the orphanage.
In comes R and A2 so I pulled out the balloons I brought. I brought 4 as that was all the heart shaped ones we had. I let Elijah and the two girls each pick one. Elijah’s had a hole in it so I pulled out the last one. Just as I blew it up, tied it and handed it to Elijah, out comes A1. What?!? I thought she was in school. It turns out that K is in school but A1 wasn’t. Still not exactly sure why. Luckily, R wasn’t too interested in her balloon.
After about 45 minutes of playing with balloons, A1 tried to get one of the boys to ask me to go. At least that is what it sounded like . They got the caregiver in on it and she talked Ukrainian and gestured outside. They are asking if I wanted to go outside. Of course I want to go outside. All this time we haven’t been going outside with the other kids, has that been my fault?!?! I don’t think I did or said anything to indicate that I didn’t want to go outside.
Anyway, we got everyone dressed and went outside. It was really fun. We got to go off with just us 5. We had a lot of fun, played on every playground they have around the orphanage (about 7 or 8) and got very muddy.
Oh, when we first went out the little 3 year old, (the other one who, with her 2 year old sister I want to pack in my suitcase and take home with me too) held my hand and wanted to come with us. R didn’t like that and A1 didn’t like that. In mile-a-minute Ukrainian both of them talked the caregiver into taking her away from me. I guess they are getting a sense of “my mom,” which is a good thing for attachment.
While we were making our way through all the playgrounds we met Luba’s mom. She talked to each one of the kids. Asked their names. I think she asked if they like their new brother to which they all said yes. Every time we see Luba’s mom she tries to get Elijah to smile at her. This time was no exception. Only this time, he did, and then hid behind me. Then she talked to the girls a lot. I think she was talking about them going to America and having a new family.
So when we saw the other kids going in I checked the clock: 12:15. Time for us to go. I didn’t want to go in with how muddy Elijah was anyway.
We ate lunch and decided that we should probably go back and get more souvenirs at that place we got the dolls yesterday. We needed to get more internet cards anyway. So we catch a bus downtown.
We got some keychains and another stackable doll and lots of exercise. We went straight to the orphanage as we were kind of late. It was a pretty wild visit, but good. Al and K kept climbing all over Keith. So to get a break he showed them how to play “pull the stick” Joseph Smith style. A1 is one strong girl. K didn’t like being beaten so she quit early on and went back to her puzzle (a VERY hard 1000 piece that she wanted Mama to help with). We showed them a couple other games of skill and strength too. Oh, on Ryan’s suggestion we started teaching them “Head, shoulders, knees and toes,” a week or so ago. They aren’t much into that but sure enjoy watching us do it.
To calm things down a bit I asked A1 and K to teach me colors in Ukrainian. I learned yellow, blue and white. Then promptly forgot them. But I’m working on it.
Keith got Al to ask if we could talk to the director. She wasn’t there but they got the secretary to open her door and get the girls’ passport pictures and numbers for us. So we won’t be waiting on those for passports.
We are trying to decide if we should keep the girls in the orphanage after Monday while waiting for passports. I think that would be the best. We wouldn’t have to move, they could still go to school and keep on a schedule. But with our facilitator talking to the director we can’t decide if she is ok with that or not. We would even pay them something for food and boarding. To go or not to go?
Then passports are supposed to be about a week (apparently anywhere from 4 days to 10 days). Earliest we could get to Kyiv would be the next Monday. But it could be as late at the next Friday. In which case we would have to be in Kyiv the next Monday (after our airline tickets are scheduled). We are doing this fine dance of waiting to buy girls’ tickets until we have a better idea of when we can leave, but not too late that they are 2x the cost. Then do we change ours and pay the $250 change fee? But if we have to change them again that would be a fortune. Arrrrrrrrrrrgh. This is maddening.

Pictures to keep you interested

A1, gotta love those green eyes

R playing outside

A2 and her creation

K having fun with Papa (Fahzzer)

Elijah ties a tie

Is this all getting boring for y'all?

February 9- Monday- DAY 6
I woke Keith up early to work. We had Elder and Sister Thatcher offer to take us to some stores to buy souvenirs as it is their P-day. Of course, we jumped on that as we need lots of souvenirs. They speak more language than we do. We met them downtown and they helped us exchange money. Then we went shopping. They also had it in their mind to help us find games and things for the kids to do on the plane trip home.
We found a mall type store that had a little cabinet of Ukrainian items. Then, with the Elders’ help, we found the little, tiny store that sells handmade Ukrainian souvenirs. We are going to have to go back. They had sets of the little nesting dolls that have 7 dolls in them. We got all he had, 4, for the girls’ souvenirs. We also got ones that were painted with gold and silver paint and all he had for the ones that had 5 dolls in the set. In all we bought 12 sets of dolls. They had a bunch of other things too, that we will have to go back for because we were going to eat lunch with the Elders and they were getting hungry. We felt we better not anger them because they were so kind to help us figure out and get the dolls. All in all, we are probably half done with our souvenir shopping, and only a week to go. We ended up purchasing diapers (so we could change Elijah’s- we needed more anyway) a backpack for me to carry on the airplane and a bigger, zippered one for Elijah. Thatchers also helped us to get some puzzle books and a couple travel games for the airplane.
We went to NY Pizza for lunch. We had pizza with chicken, cheese (you have to ask specifically for cheese) and mine had pineapple and Keith’s had tomatoes. We’ll have to go back there sometime as the Cox family gave us a copy of the menu that Julia translated for them. The Elders helped us order.
The Thatchers were so nice to entertain Elijah (or hold him when he slept) while we looked at things to buy. I hope we didn’t take up a P-day they wanted to use for something else. We surely enjoyed the company!!
We ended the day by grocery shopping at the store we were looking for earlier and didn’t find. Then we shared a cab home (how liberating it must be to be able to actually call for a taxi). Luckily, we had the address to the orphanage written down so the cab could take us there. We’ll have to find that paper Luba wrote her address on, so we can actually get home and not just within walking distance. 
We promised the girls that we would bring the computer and we had to drop off our purchases so we walked back to the flat then the orphanage again.
The girls played pretty nicely with the computer. We were lucky; we forgot the plug adaptor and were running the computer on the battery and it didn’t give out on us. I played blocks with R. All in all a pretty calm visit.
We were supposed to get photos that the director was getting taken for passports as well as the girls’ numbers (likes social security numbers). But since we missed the morning and were ½ hour late in the evening, I guess we missed her. Hopefully tomorrow.
As we were leaving Elijah had a meltdown. After much talking and 3 little mothers getting his outside clothes on he finally calmed down. But we figured that he was too worn out for us to go to FHE at the church. And came home, ate supper, watched an episode of Star Trek and now we are going to bed.

Sunday- kinda looooong

February 7- Sunday – DAY 5
I woke up early (4:30) and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I spent the time catching up on this journal. It was great, I got all caught up and even got caught up on emails. But by the time I was tired again it was time to get up and get ready for church. So I started the day with a head ache.
The girls were very calm when we went to visit them. We played blocks. I helped A1 make block furniture for her barbies. Once again we were only there an hour to be able to be on time for church. But we all were having such a nice time we really didn’t want to leave.
Elijah fell asleep on the bus. Good! Now we can pay attention to church. But no such luck, he woke up just as we were taking our coats off at the church. I walked the “hall” (the main room is L shaped and two choices to take a loud baby is down the long part of the L or out where it is cold), looked through the past 3 months of the Liahona (“Jonas Smith” and “medicine- aries”—missionaries) and eventually took him out because he was being so loud. He finally calmed down enough for me to catch the last 5 minutes of Sunday school. By then my headache was so bad it made me sick to my stomach. My wonderful husband asked Sister Thatcher if she had some ibuprofen. She happened to have some Motrin. I took two and then I read the directions LOL. Take one tablet every 8-12 hours. Oops. Then further down: You may take 2 tablets on the first dose but don’t exceed 3 tablets in a 12 hour period. Whew! Keith was kind and took Elijah to Priesthood. In Relief Society I couldn’t figure out if it was the not-yet-quite- gone-headache was making me sleepy or if it was the medicine. I even nearly dropped the book I was holding. LOL (The lesson was on Elijah coming to Joseph Smith—I did read it, to help keep myself awake.)
By the time church was over my head was feeling better but I was feeling queasy. Again, not sure if it was the medicine or the fact that I hadn’t eaten. So we came home and had some bread and cheese before going to the orphanage.
We had a very nice visit at the orphanage. A2 was very good with Elijah. After he grabbed her sunglasses and I made him give them back (without her grabbing them back) she shared them with him. He even let her take his hand and walk him around to show everyone. She even carried him around for a while on her back. He liked that. Then A1 wanted to be in on the action, and he got on her back. She took him into the dining room / school room and let him get some squeaky toys. Made me a little nervous with them carrying him around but they were very careful with him. And he let them, surprise, surprise. He even used his nice words to tell A2 “please don’t do that,” once. We’ve been working on that. He did, however bite R. I didn’t catch what happened but I think she took something from him. Not that it is ok to bite, but it was good because I got to hold R and rock her until she stopped crying. And Elijah got put in time-out. Not necessarily a good thing but it brought out very compassionate behavior in A2, A1 and K. Kind of hard to discipline when everyone else is offering him toys and patting him on the head.  They really are good girls! R just needs a mom and dad to hold her. They all do, but she is still young enough to admit it.
The Thatchers invited us over for dinner after the orphanage. We didn’t know where they lived so at church we had an Elder write down what we could say to a taxi to get us there. Our first taxi ride by ourselves. Keith (I made him do it) went to the first taxi and said his little sentence. The taxi driver rambled on about something (we are assuming that it was “I can’t take you there” or “I don’t know where that is”) and got out and went to the next taxi, handed him the paper. Yes, he could take us there. We got in and he took us to a building. We paid him and got out, intending to call the Thatchers. They said they would come down and meet us. Well, this nice taxi driver waited and finally got out of the car. He walked us over to the door, waited until someone came out (it is keyed, or coded or locked somehow) held the door and ushered us in, speaking a mile a minute. We went in and called the Thatchers. LOL We couldn’t remember what floor they lived on. The missionaries were also there, they are planning a big open house. It is going to be a big deal; professional-looking flyers and even billboard ads, even radio and television ads. They are encouraging members to invite friends and acquaintances. It is going to be focused on family history.
Sister Thatcher made chili, salad and the most delicious corn bread ever, with banana cream pie for desert. She even let Elijah lick the bowls after the banana cream AND the whipped cream. “I need one of my boys here to lick the bowl.” They have 10 boys, or was it 11? They lost one at birth and I can’t remember if the one they lost would have been 11 or 12. You can tell she is a grandma and misses her grandkids. She spent a lot of time reading to and coloring with Elijah.
Once again we didn’t get home till nearly 10:00. Good company. Elder Thatcher asked Keith to give a 5-7 minute talk next week if we are here. Then felt bad and said “we didn’t invite you over for supper just to ask you to give a talk.” Keith said, “I’m grateful for both opportunities.” My sweet husband.
Elder Thatcher was going to walk us to show us where the bus stop is. Just as we were leaving, Keith put Elijah on his shoulders and he burst into tears. We have been battling a bit of a rash with him (something we are eating doesn’t agree with him) and I guess it got really bad. We didn’t have a diaper to change him so Keith held him carefully. Elder Thatcher helped us stop at a 24 hour Apteka- pharmacy to buy some ointment (Desitin- it is even written in English) because that is one of about 5 things that Mom didn’t get in the suitcase. Bad Mom! We soooo appreciate that as we would have had a very long, miserable night, without it.
Some of you have asked about the Cox’s. Things are still up in the air with them. However, their 20 days (that the guy has to actually file the appeal) ends on Tuesday (they think). Their facilitator talked to the judge and got the impression that the judge would throw out an appeal IF it were actually filed. So, if one isn’t filed they will be able to take their son home with them next week. If one is chances are the judge will throw it out and they will be able to take him home after the court hearing. Frustratingly long wait (they have been here for 2 months) but at least they will be able go home with their son. We talked with our facilitator about it and he has been facilitating for 10 years and this is the first appeal that he has ever heard about.

Random musings:
Colorful buildings- Washingtonians need to learn from the Ukrainians. To combat the drabness of the weather the Ukrainians paint their some of their buildings bright colors. It is nice to see bold color when even the air is murky. (disclaimer- admittedly the summer weather probably isn’t drab here and the Ukrainians probably don’t paint their buildings just because of the weather) Even insides are often painted brightly.

Riding the bus- Riding the small buses is an experience. Basically overgrown vans, the small busses cost 1.5 grivna to ride anywhere. Wait at the bus stop for your bus. Watch closely, because at any given time there could be 6-8 busses stopping at the same time. You pay when you get on. It is easiest if you have the money all ready before you get on so you don’t have to fumble in your purse for the fare while trying to hang on to a shifting, moving bus. Although natives have been known to pass fares up to the driver after sitting down. The bus driver multi-tasks well. He can drive, stop for the people crossing the street, notice the people standing who want to get off at the next stop, count out change for fares all at one time. And today I need to add change his sign (on the other side of the bus), answer a cell phone, and smoke a cigarette. He (I have yet to see a woman driver) can even navigate multi-directional traffic with inches to spare. So you are in good hands. But don’t get too comfortable… because you can’t. If you get to sit down, seats are so close together your knees touch the seat in front of you. If you have anything at all to carry bigger than a small purse—take a taxi. Windows are usually fogged so look carefully for your stop. If you have to stand chances are you have to sidle past people. Good thing you are pretty sure pickpocketing isn’t big here. Some person in your near vicinity will have strong perfume, alcohol or body odor. Make sure you stand up in plenty of time BEFORE your stop for the driver to notice that you want to get off. Don’t forget to use the handrails. Keep arms and legs inside at all times and enjoy your ride.

Furs- PETA people obviously never lived in this part of the world. Or would have a hayday if they ever make it here. Furs, faux and real, are everywhere. Coats, pants gloves and shoes are lined with the stuff if not made out of it. Of course, if I were the color of some of these animals I would want to be shot and put to a better cause. (disclaimer: no animals were hurt at any time during the filming of this musing)

Heat- Apparently, heat here is communal. Not sure if it is managed citywide, regionwide or countrywide. But it gets turned on all at the same time, sometime in mid-October and turned off sometime in mid- May, I think. If you are too hot, open a window. If you are too cold, put a sweater on. That is about all the control you have. Our landlady lit all the burners on her stove to help warm up one cold day. (disclaimer: no one was hurt during this musing)

It is taboo for girls to sit on anything cold and stone-like. “You will never have children”
(disclaimer: there could be some truth to this?!?!)

Prevent freezer burn. It is taboo for any skin to be showing when you are outside, besides your face, of course. Scarves, tights, hats (of any sort), and gloves are a necessity! (Discaimer: This one makes a whole lotta sense.)

Boots- If you are female in Ukraine it is mandatory to wear boots, with males it is optional but preferred. Old or young, big or little. Low boots, high boots, up on the thigh boots. High heeled, spiky boots, low, flat, sensible boots. Shiny boots, furry boots, even boots made to fool you into thinking they are shoes. Pick your own personal style but you gotta have boots. (disclaimer: maybe summer will be different?)

Elevators- Elevators here are microscopic. You can fit 4 people snuggly if one of them is a 2 year old. Any bags, packages or large purses will send a person walking… up the stairs. And the elevators only accept one command at a time. If you get in after the person living on the 9th floor you have to ride to the 9th floor or push the stop button and enter your floor. The 9th floor person would then have to re-enter his floor after you got off. (disclaimer: I haven’t been in most elevators here)

Disturbing sights:
Little two year old girl cries and cries and no one tries to comfort her
Said slittle girl won’t accept any comfort offered from a foreigner who can’t stand to see her crying go unnoticed
Orphanage boys playing with toy guns shooting each other- 70% of boys aging out of orphanages will turn to crime
Orphanage boys pointing toy guns at their temples and pulling the trigger—10% of children aging out of orphanages will commit suicide before their 18th birthday
Orphanage girls 8 and under wearing make-up and dressing in skimpy clothes—60% of girls aging out of orphanages turn to prostitution