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Volunteer Stories – HIV Orphanage 2009 & 2010

Milou Huitink – Oosterhout, The Netherlands – HIV Orphanage May, 2010 “My volunteer experience at the HIV Orphanage is one I will never forget. I will never forget the kids’ faces, and their smiles. It is one of the best things I ever did.”

Angelene Shannon, Wellington, New Zealand – HIV Orphanage May, 2009

“Volunteering at the HIV Orphanage has been a wonderful and enriching experience, and I will carry the memories of the children and staff in my heart forever. You will have to be completely comfortable with HIV+ children, as they will be climbing all over you from day one. Therefore it would be of benefit for you to learn about the illness before you come, in particular you need to know that you cannot catch the virus from physical contact with the children.”

“Unlike most institutions where children are involved, physical contact here is expected and appreciated, especially by the children themselves. They thrive on love and closeness, and it’s wonderful to see the smiles on their faces when you offer this to them.”

“Many of the current staff at the HIV Orphanage started out volunteering like us – ten years later they are still there! This experience can have a profound affect on people’s lives. So expect that leaving the HIV Orphanage will be the hardest part of your voluntary service.”

Marley Dagenais, Ontario, Canada – HIV Orphanage May, 2009

“Volunteering at the HIV Orphanage has been a good experience for me. I was able to really bond with the kids even though it was a short time. The kids here are a lot rougher with each other compared to back home in Canada. This is normal and the nannies seem to let them discover their boundaries. The kids need as much love and affection as any other regular kid. Physical affection is encouraged here and the kids thrive off it. All the kids have their own unique story and if you get a chance to talk to Laura about them, some of it will shock you but make you love them so much more. Leaving the HIV Orphanage will be hard for me. Some of the nannies and volunteers have been here for many years and I can definitely see why they stayed and how hard it is to leave.”

Alana Borsa, Ontario, Canada – HIV Orphanage Project April, 2009

“Working at the HIV Orphanage is a wonderful and inspiring experience. The enthusiasm of the staff and the energy of the children are completely infectious. They will touch your heart each and every day. Coming to spend time at the orphanage has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The orphanage family has certainly become, and will now be forever a part of my life.”

Volunteer Stories – HIV Ophanage 2009 & 2010

Volunteer Stories – HIV Orphanage – 2008