Guatemala Blog (Eagle's Nest Orphanage) December 29, 2013

Today was the day that we began our project work here at Eagles Nest. We organized to greet the orphans at their home. Upon entering the orphanage home, I was bombarded with the noise of speaking, yelling and cheering. The orphans had just been bathed by the mothers and were full of energy.

We were told prior to the introduction that most of the orphans crave affection.

It had never occurred to me that the amount of affection that a child needs and wants is tremendous. I honestly wasn't prepared for the amount of affection that I would be shown.

In Australia, affection between children and students is strictly limited, so the concept during this first day has been an eye-opener. After setting my bag and bottle down on a chair, a little boy no older than three years old had latched himself around my leg wanting a hug. This moment broke the ice for me, and more children came and hugged me, allowing me to show kindness in a way that I didn't know I had.

Till next time, Tim the tool man out...