Orphanage

The orphanage that Shanti has been living in has 52 children. It was relatively quiet and not chaotic at all. I don’t know if that is a good sign or a bad sign. I would have guessed maybe 16-20 children. About 5 are 2 and under, maybe another 6-8 are ages 3-5, and the rest school age. One adorable 5 year old has some sort of genetic disorder – a little like achondroplasia (abnormal bone development), but different. None the less he is the friendliest little guy appears developmentally on track– I do hope he finds a family.

The children appear well cared for, although it appears that a lot of the care of the younger ones falls on the older girls. The home is strict vegetarian, and Hinduism plays a major role on the children’s lives. The upper level has a prominent shrine, with many pictures of Baba Sai – a charismatic hindi leader.

The orphanage is run by a couple in their late 40’s – early 50’s and they live in the house with the children. It appears that there are minimal records kept on the children, and no photographs of their time in the orphanage.