The Hardest Decision Ever

My trip to the orphanage San Judas Chico

Getting out of the big bus of Harmony travel from the Hotel Royal Inka II in Cusco close to the Plaza de Armas,to a street of Velasco Astete after 20 minutes, the shining raging hot sun makes the spotlight in our faces walking towards the orphanage for girls San judas chico , with every step I took my mind would never stop bothering me in how everything was going to be if they were going to be open or if it was going to be like a night filled with crickets all silent and awkward. Suddenly my mind wakes up and I noticed the rusty old fashioned gates were flashing open in front of us, all the girls waiting staring at us smiling in the middle of the entrance and the boys that came also to spend time with us were playing different kinds of Peruvian instruments it was like an orchestra. It was an open space in the front with basketball hoops and soccer goals, the orphanage was a long rectangular house with a little different colored playground on the right side. The music stopped creating a silence that lasted for 10 seconds until your could hear clapping and cheering of everyone that was in the orphanage. Teachers walked around giving us skinny little papers that had the name of the little kid you were going to be partnered with, while the sun was getting stronger every second everyone was putting on sunscreen while looking for their partner, finally when I was partnered up with a little girl that was 8 years old named Carmen.

All the Roosevelt students were with their partner eating pollo a la brasa trying to get their partner talking and being accommodated to each other. After eating the chicken and fries we went outside and played with our partner because later the kids from the orphanage were going to dance and we were going to give them the cards we had wrote for them in Lima. Getting outside, the clouds had finally made a shield in the sky to keep the sun from frying us alive but made it chilly and I put my jacket on . Playing was like you were the happiest person ever, I loved to see the smile on the little girl’s face because I can’t imagine the things that she had been through before she was in the orphanage. It wasn’t fair for her or any kid to be somewhere they don’t belong. Soon after playing tag, monopoly, uno, and other types of games the sun payed us a visit again but we were gathered in a huge square to see the girls dance which was really amusing to see. When they had finished they called some people with their partner to take a picture and give them the card, while that was happening the little girl that was with me sat on my lap not leaving my side and I was happy because I knew she felt loved and cared for and that’s all they need and really want. They called me to go in front and I was really nervous because it was like a cage but made of people, I stood up with Carmen holding my hand and I handed her the card and she gave me a flower pin and we took a photo, walking back I ran as fast as I could because I could feel everyone watching me. Once that was finished we were all playing the games we had been assigned in PE class before Cusco. When I was getting water I could hear my heartbeat like a drum and I felt like I was going to faint the altitude was competing against me and it was in the lead, after drinking loads of water I saw everyone going in the house and I noticed it was time to go.

Carmen found me and the ran towards me to hug me I squatted down and opened my arms to hug her but I didn’t know what to do after that my mind went blank. I gave her a small turquoise bracelet I got for her and her smile was greater than ever, suddenly I told her I have to go, my mind remembering the smile that she had that was even able to go across the world suddenly disappeared every inch of happiness drained out of her. I could see the pain in her eyes, it was the worst feeling ever . Even though I didn’t know her backstory her face was like she was being left alone again. She didn’t move but she grinned and hugged me as hard as anyone could and turned back and walked me to the entrance. Going on the bus I could feel my eyes filling up with water and I was going to let out a scream and cry, I felt like I was leaving something behind but I knew that someway I was going to keep in touch and that other people were going to visit her.

I think you should visit the San Judas Chico Orphanage . There are different kind of kids from 4 years old to teenage years,there are kids that have gone through difficult moments and that they should have an abundance of visitors at the orphanage. It is always free to go and it is a very nice and welcoming place.