[Amysue1112]

Thank you so much for your post Jen...it gives us great insight into the Russian orphanage world.

For us, we prepared ourselves for a sad, bleak orphanage, where the children were ignored and never held...and then we went to our Hannah's orphanage. The kids were in such great shape, and so well-cared for. For some moments I thought "geez, I thought I was really "saving" this child from a miserable life, and it did not really appear at that bad. The decor was lovely, food appeared plenty, and caregivers very loving.

But after reading your post it reminded me that it is not always as it appears. These kids may get lucky and go to a good orphanage, but just as quickly (and as they grew) could go to a not so good one. And no matter how nice it is, it is still an institution, and in no way comparable to a loving home,

It now makes me thiink about the fact that Hannah's life was not too terribly bad at 11months, but where would she be in a few years?? Oh I shudder to think of the possibilities.

Thank you again for the insight...it helps us to understand the culture and what these poor child can go through. Those stats are stagging and painful just to think about