First half of day 1 with the kids at the Placement Center

Today was actually the first day we got to see the kids here in Romania! We spend this morning at the Placement Center for Children with Disabilities. We thought we would be working in the hospital, so this was news for us when we got here. The placement center is a bunch of different buildings sorta like homes that the children live in. Think group home back in the US to get a better idea of it... 

When we first got to the center, we waited for the manager to get there with the appropriate papers for us to sign. We had to agree that no pictures would be taken in the center and that we understand that they are responsible for the children who are with them. We were really upset about the no pictures part, but Mihaela (our team leader) told us that we can take pictures at the hospital, where we will be in the afternoons. 

The manager showed us around the center. She explained the hydrotherapy room and how they don't have anyone who specializes in it anymore so the children don't get it as often as they should. We were told that we would be in the playroom with the children during the day. The play room has SO MANY toys it is crazy! I never thought they would have that many.. needless to say, the toys we brought were greatly appreciated also!

Finally, we met the kids!

• Luca - Luca doesn't really seem very active to me, but he is learning to walk with assistance. He loved the blocks we found in the room.
• Deliah - Deliah only has 1 full limb and the rest are sort of nubs. She loves to play with  balls and make funny faces.
• Luciana - Luciana is a little baby doll! She loves jumping with the volunteers and spinning in circles.
• Georgiana - Georgiana is so smart and seems to be the most advanced in the group we met this morning. She speaks just Romanian though so it is hard to communicate with her. She danced and sang to the songs one of the aids played on the computer. They seemed like nursery rhymes to me..
• Ionut - Ionut is kinda wild and all I can truly understand of what he says is "MaMa" {we are known as MaMa to the children} He seems like a very happy kiddo though!
• And finally a name you all should recognize... Alina - We met Alina in our previous trips (My mom in 2008 and me in 2001) She is just as spunky as ever! She still loves to play with hair, although now for some reason they are discouraging her to do it. (Something about it is too "Self" stimulating) Alina has an amazing memory! She remembered Jane's little bumblebee game from 2 years ago!! Crazy!

We are returning to the Placement Center in about 15 minutes to work with some of the older children this afternoon. I know for sure we will see Ion (whom some of you may remember from 2011) and hopefully Maiastra too! I will try to update and tell ya'll more tonight! Until then, La Revedere! (Bye)