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| 1 | Open the gate and step into the play yard at Suta Dragodana Gradinita special school and orphanage in Romania. A swarm of dark haired, dark skinned, dirty children are immediately at my side. They climb, hit, pull, bite, and scratch me. My first impression is astonishment at the behavior, and then realization of their desperate need for attention or a loving touch. |
| 2 | Anyone who walks into the play yard at Suta can easily see the dirt, violence, and disorder among the kids. There are some who can look past the unsightly images and look into the eyes of these children and see the people behind the hopeless desperation. |
| 3 | Every child at Suta is hungry, deprived, and needy. These factors cause them to behave like animals. The beds they sleep in, with their stained and dirty sheets, are where they pick up lice and scabies, if not from the bed then from one of the three kids they share a bed with. La Masa, or mealtime, is a thin soup, bread, and some water that can hardly satisfy hunger, especially when it is taken away by a bigger, stronger kid. The small children are usually left with a deep hunger and the result of this is emaciated bodies. |
| 4 | In the summer most children run around either half dressed or completely naked. They spend their day in the play yard, which consists of rusty metal playground equipment, and tall grass that is used as a toilet. It is difficult to walk around without seeing or coming in contact with diarrhea or vomit. Many times a malnourished, emaciated child can be found eating someone else’s excrement to satisfy their painfully gnawing stomachs. To spend time with these children in these conditions can be ugly, but also gave me opportunity to get to know their personalities. |
| 5 | First, their violent behavior has to be understood and then looked over. To understand their behavior is to understand the lives they are living. The children’s actions become part of their loveable, humorous, and enjoyable personalities. For example, Satianu (sa-tee-a-noo) in one moment will be pulling my hair like he wants to rip my head off, or using his projectile vomiting talent to express anger or just because he thinks it is funny. In the next moment he will walk around kissing all of the ladies on the cheek and then proclaiming "Bravo" for his lovely manners. Another example is Ionut (yo-nootz), or baby. He cries all the time at the top of his lungs until he gets picked up. At first I was annoyed at this but now I just laugh especially when he runs off angry because he looks like one of those lizards from a National Geographic documentary. And there is Mehaiela, who is so sweet and gentle. She likes to rub her lice infested head all over me and rub my hand all over her head. |
| 6 | The shocking behavior of these children is caused by their extensive needs, but it the ability to look past their outward behavior and see the personalities inside them that enables me to help them improve their lives. No matter what violence I have to endure, I love each and every personality because they are so special to me. |
| 7 | To walk out of the play yard at Suta and close the gate behind me is more difficult and painful than to stay inside and face the filth and pain experienced by all who step inside. To walk out is to extinguish all chance of the children to have a better life and to share with others their unique little personalities.
Nominated and Edited by Diane Averill, Writing Instructor
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